


s/ 



016 096 11/ A, 



Conservation Resources 






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F 589 

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I^A. CKOSSE 





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Night Schools from November 1st until ..larch 1st. 

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No vacitions.. Students can enter at any time. Board from S.3. 50 per week. 

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Enclose 3-cent sta'up for specimens of Penmanship and infurm.ition, to CASUEL & ROdERS 
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HARRIS SEARL, 

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ATNI3 



General Land and Insurance Agent. 

EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN. 

Wm. B. HA^SCOME & CO., 

AND DEALERS IN 

Provisions, Di'it^d F^mits Arc, 

No. 9 Main Street, 
LA CROSSE, WISCOSMSIN. 



ALSO AGENTS FOK 



2¥i]qeridkr\ ^tearq ^afe C!on|pcii|y, So>^toT\. 



Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. 

The great through line fur Cliicaso, New York, New England, the Canadas and 
all Eastern and Southern Points. Connecting in Chicago with all Eastera and South- 
ern Lines. 

Cliicago Depot, corner Canal and West M idison Streets, Horse cars and Stage 
Lines for all parts of the city constantly passing. 

THE ONLY THROUGH LINE 
between Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Minneapolis. It traverses a finer c lun- 
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resorts, than any other Northwestern Line. And the only Riilway Line traversing 
the valley of the Upper Mississippi River, and along the shores of Lake Pepin. 

Through palace coaches and sleeping cars, 

B^^Connecting at St.Paul and Minneapolis with the several lines centering at 
those points. St. Paul Depot cor. Jackson and Levee. City office, 118, East Jackson 
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Agent, Milwaukee. 





(f>. 



J aniens W. -Jbabb 



fii^^toiy of i{cctVl)ufg^ Wi^c^o%^ii\. 



THE first record tliat we find of any person's visiting, with intent to 
settle, tlic part of country now known as the town of Reedshurg, 
bears date of 1844, when one, Harry Perry, and Don C. Barry explored 
the Big Creek region in search of a lumbering location. The pair dis- 
covered Avhat they supposed to be a copper mine, in the southeast 
quarter of section one, and they immediately turned their attention to- 
ward that, though no mining was done until the next summer, when 
jNIr. Barry came out a second time, bringing two miners from Mineral 
Point. Harry Perry meantime had died. Previous, however, to Barry's 
second trip, James W. Babb, a Virginian, wdio had been living in Ohio 
for some 3'ears, visited relatives of his living in Rock county, bearing 
the name of Kirkpatrick, who had crossed the Baraboo River on a hunt- 
ing tour, and who gave a glowing description of the fertile valleys and 
natural wealth of this section of country, then almost unknoAvn to the 
white man. Mr. Babb, having became embarassed at home, had left 
with the intention of finding :inotlicr in the then far west, and he imme- 
diately resolved to hunt out the beautiful prairies mentioned by his rela- 
tive. His son John, who had accompanied him from Ohio, Avas his 
companion while journeying through the wilderness. We make extracts 
from an article giving an account of Mr. Babb's coming here, lately 
published in tlie "Reedsburg Free Press." It goes on to say: 

"Arrived at Baraboo, then a mere handet, the party was augmented 
by several persons, among others by a Mr. Chirk, who knew the way. 
They ])r()bably came through the Narrows Creek Gap, as the first view 
they obtained of the pi-airie was from the bluff l)ack of the Dixon place, 
on the 12th day of May — ;just as nearly thirty years as may be from 
the day of his death. Mr. Babb was then upward of fifty-five years of 
age, in the very prime of his manhood, of strong physical frame, robust 
health and iron will, and the difficulties and hardships of such an under- 
taking as he contemplated, and which would be sufficient to appal one 
10 



82 Am€7'ica7i Sheteli Booh. 

■which he possessed in Babb's Creek, a stream which in low water one 
can step across. Yet no man in tliis part of the country, it is quite 
probable, will ever pass to the great Hereafter, leaving a better record 
than he. He was the poor man's friend. None went empty-handed 
away from his dwelling. Neither was his bounty stingily bestowed. He 
would let out his land to a poor tenant, help him build a house, and 
give him seed for planting ; at harvest, he would help to cut the grain, 
and in the end he would refuse to take his own share, because the poor 
fellow was having hard times, and needed it all. He died May 14th, 
1875, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-seven years. He was buried, 
according to his Avishes, on his own premises, by tiie side of his wife, 
who departed from this life seventeen years previous. Several wander- 
ing Winnebagoes, whom he had befriended in early times, in fact ever 
since his coming here, were among the mourners and wept above his 
remains, as if they had been own children of the deceased. 

Ferocious animals were many, but our new settlers were not at all 
afraid of them, though the glaring eyes were to be seen at almost any 
time during the nights. Mr. Babb, at one time, trapped a young bear, 
and concluded to tame it. He imagined that he could put a strap around 
its neck, and tie it up Avithout difficulty, but before he had accomphished 
that piece of work, the animal had torn nearly every thread of clothing 
from his body ; and he finally had to get assistance from his son Strother. 
The two together managed to tie up the bear. Strother had quite an 
encounter with a wild-cat not long afterwards. The animal had become 
very destructive to the poultry, which decided the Babb boys to track 
it to its hiding place. This was a hole, underneath a ledge of rocks 
reached by a long dark passage. Fastening a trap to the ridge-pole of a 
wagon, Strother crawled into the passage, pushing the trap before him. 
Several times the animal sprung the trap without getting caught,, and 
as often Strother had to retreat and set it again. The Avild-cat, when 
closely pressed, would strike with its paws, and was finally clutched by 
the trap, whereupon, the young man backed out of the passage, draw- 
ing the animal after him, by main strength. He says that the ferocious 
eyes, glaring upon him, in that dark narrow place, were not calculated 
to call forth the most pleasant sensations. Another of Strother Babb's 
adventures was none the less unpleasant. His father being ill, he had 
been obliged to go to Baraboo for a doctor. There was nothing but a 
wilderness where Reedsburg now is ; but the Babbs had a boat on the 
river, at the Indian fording place, now marked ])y Mackey's mills. On 
reaching the ford, it was found, tliat l)y some means or other, the boat 



History of Heechhurg^ Wisconsin. 83 

had got moored on the opposite side. It was a cokl day in the niontli 
of March, and not a pleasant time for bathing. But there was no help 
for it, — Strother had to swim the Baraboo in order to get the boat.. 
Strother Babb is the oldest settler living in this place. 

One of the most beautiful spots in the West is Babb's Prairie. It 
comprises some fifteen hundred acres of land, of a rich quality, level 
and rolling by turns, with arms of wood-land stretching in various di- 
rections, and crossed by streams of clear, cold Avater. In a state of 
nature, it was surrounded by timber, much of which has been cut down. 

The privation endured by those early settlers must have been great, 
though Babb's children say that they never realized any hard times. 
They often lived for weeks on cakes made of grated corn ; for a time 
even went as far as WhitCAvater to get wheat ground, and finally did 
their own grinding on a hand-mill, before any grist mills were erected 
in this part of the country. Groceries they never had, — they did not 
want them, and had no use for them, so they say. They manufactured 
their own saleratus by dropping a hard wood cinder while hot into a 
a cup of water. Mrs. Baker claims that the water drained carefully 
from the sediment, is equal to the best soda. There Avere times, too, 
Avhen these people had no bread at all ; potatoes and salt, and sometimes 
Avith the salt lacking, being their entire tood. Game and Avild fruits, 
hoAvever, Avere in abundance. But the season of the fruit was short ; 
then very fcAV of the settlers were experts Avith a rifle, consequently they 
Avere not ahvays supplied with meat. As far as the Babbs Avere con- 
cerned, the Indians came to their assistance by dividing the spoils of the 
chase Avith them, thus returning kindness for kindness. Other settlers 
Avere not so favored by the Indians. 

At the point where the village of Reedsburg noAV is, Mr. Babb soon 
ascertained that a magnificent water-poAver could be obtained, and he 
looked upon the section Avith a desire to possess it. lie did not have 
money enough to enable him to invest in the enterprise at tlie time, but 
he hoped at some future day, to lay claim to it. Before that day ar- 
rived, some individual, from Big Foot Prairie, not only made a discovery 
of the Avater-poAver, but also of the existence of iron, not a great dis- 
tance from it. It is said that this individual returned to Big Foot 
Prairie, and told of his discovery to David C. Heed, Avho Avas then liv- 
ing at that point. It is also said, that the discoverer of the iron mine 
died not long after the discovery was made. If he is not confounded 
with Harry Perry, of the copper mine notoriety, it Avould seem that tlie 
fates of the two men Avere similar, both dying soon after they nuide 



84 Amei'ican Shetcli Booh, 

their discovery. It is also said that Mr. Powell, afterwards one of Mr. 
Reed's partners, made the discovery of the mines. Be this as it may, 
it is certain that Mr. Reed immediately sought out the place, and having 
satisfied himself regarding its worth, he proceeded to enter two hundred 
acres of land including the mines, known now as Ironton, and also a 
quarter section, taking in the mill-power, the latter being what is now 
the portion, lying south of Main street, of the village of Reedsburg. 
While the surrounding country presented magnificent farming lands, 
the portion bordering the Baraboo river, at this point, was a mai-sh that 
trembled beneath the feet, whenever walked upon ; yet, Mr. Reed 
thought he saw a place to build a city. The rocky bottom of the river 
here, afforded a good base for the dam, and the location was such that 
it must some day become the center of trade. However much Mr. 
Reed's judgment may have erred in other things, in these it was correct ; 
since the marsh has been dried ; and the thriving village of Reedsburg 
shows no signs of having started under such unpromising circumstances. 
The improvement of the mill-power v/as commenced in June, 1847, and 
Reed k Powell erected a saw-mill, or rather the frame for one, in June, 
1848. For the accommodation of the families of these men and the 
workmen, three shanties were built. Were they still standing, they 
would be nearly in the center of Main street. They were made of 
poles, and roofed with bark ; were twelve feet square, having an inter- 
vening space of twelve feet, all under cover. A fourth and a fifth 
shanty were afterward added ; the latter by Rev. A. Locke, who was 
one of the early settlers. It was two feet larger each way on the 
ground, than the others. He had a large family, and needed more room 
than did the other settlers. The shanties were not very pleasant habi- 
tations, as umbrellas were required to protect the inmates from storms ; 
yet, all of the people, who settled here for several years, had to find a 
dwelling place there for a time. They were numbered, and were known 
by their numbers as are more aristocratic city rows. William McClung 
(a millwright) and family ; J. L. Green and Keyes Bishop, (two single 
men) and the mill-owners, were all the inhabitants of Reedsburg, whom 
Austin Seeley and family found here on their arrival. 

Mr. Reed appears to have been a man of great ambition, and of 
great hopes, but he came to this part of the countiy, hampered by debts, 
and seems never to have been able to work out to perfection, his cher- 
ished schemes. Jle imngined that w city might be built up on his land, 
and offered all of the inducements in his power to accomplish that end ; 
and those inducements led some people to visit this section of the 



History of Heedslmrg, Wisconsin. 85 

country. Seeloy came from "Walworth county, passing; tliruui^h Bar- 
aboo, and arrived here with only three dollars, with ^vhieh to begin life 
anew. Mr. Seeley was discouraged as soon as he saw the i)lace, and 
offered the man who had moved him, the three dollars to take him back 
to Baraboo. But the man required four dollars fn- such services. 80 
Reedsburg got one family, whose mcndjcrs, had they possessed another 
dollar, would have settled at ]]araboo. The kSeeleys budt a part of a 
shanty, wdiicli was afterward known as the "Mill-House," from its close 
proximity to the mill. They arrived in January. The mill was not 
running at that time, and it was f )ur months before Mr. Seeley got any 
work. What was Averse, he had worked but four days, Avhen he acci- 
dentally cut one of his thumbs off, which disabled him f )r a time. The 
following fall, he built a house, and in conse(|uence of his crippled con- 
dition, Mrs. Seeley was obliged to lay the shingles. Mr. Seeley is 
now a flourishing gunsmith on Main street, and owns a fine property. 
His son, Morris Seeley, is in the picture and music business at the 
same stand. 

John W. Rork and family, of Racine, arrived in February, 1840. 
They would have been here the preceding fsill, but the illness of their 
son, Reuben, prevented their making the journey at that time. Unlike 
some of the other settlers, they came moderately Avell supplied with 
provisions and money. They found the people in the shanties in a state 
of destitution, the only eatable thing in the whole row being a shank of 
venison; and they, at once, shared their plenty with the less fortunate. 
But a time came when they were as destitute as the others. Sickness 
and misfortune attended them ; they shared their provisions Avitli the 
others until all were gone, and potatoes were all they had for food. 
Money was not much use, either, for provisions could not be obtained 
nearer than Portage or Madison, and there were neither teams nor time 
to haul them hither. Notwithstanding their hardships, the early set- 
tlers claim to have been happy and contented. The ju'ivations were 
shared in common, and became a subject oft-times for sport. True, al- 
most every woman came into the place weeping, but they all speedily 
recovered their self-possession, and bore their trials with heroism. 

Sometime in 1849, Mr. Powell sold out his interest in the mill to 
Caleb Croswell, a ncAV-comer, and Mr. Croswell in turn sold his interest 
to William Van Bergen, the same year. A post-office was established 
in the village during 184!', Horace Croswell, a brother of Caleb, being 
appointed post-master. The mail was brought once a week from Bar- 
aboo, iDy a man who made the journey on foot. Horace for a time kept 



86 American Sketch Booh. 

the post-office in Lavina Reed's pocket, — she was a nice young lady, of 
course, and he was a single man. Later, Eber Benedict was appointed 
deputy. The latter gentleman and family came from Walworth county, 
to this place in the fall of 1849. He was a carpenter, and he built a 
carpenter shop near the mill. The building was fourteen by twenty 
feet on the ground; but, small as it was, it answered the purpose of 
dwelling house, post-office, boarding-house and shop. This house was 
erected on Friday, became a dancing hall on Saturday night, and a 
church on Sunday ; the family not taking possession by moving until 
Monday, Mrs. Benedict, who is an excellent nurse, was for a time all 
the physician in the village. Her services were always to be had "with- 
out money and without price." Her kindness to the sick is gratefully 
remembered by young and old alike. The Benedicts still reside in the 
village, in a commodious dwelling on Walnut street. [Space will not 
allow us to follow the fortunes of all the settlers of this town, or even 
to make mention of them ; but we shall endeavor to notice the early 
settlers and more prominent people of the village, as far as our knowl- 
edge Avill permit, in connection with the general history.] 

For some time, there Avas but one horse team in the place, and that 
was a span of mules belonging to the owners of the mill ; hence all 
travel was done by oxen or on foot. Mr. Lock owned a yoke of oxen, 
but they Avere poor in flesh and had to lean up against each other to 
keep from falling down. He occasionally drove the team to Baraboo 
for supplies, and, at one time, Mrs. Austin Seeley accompanied him. 
On their return, Avhcn about tAvo miles this side of Baraboo, Mrs. 
Seeley concluded to Avalk a short distance, by the Avay of a change. It 
was early in the spring, and the Aveather that day, Avas made up of alter- 
nate sunshine and rain. On the approach of a shower, Mrs. Seeley 
looked back to ascertain hoAV near she was to the conveyance, but it 
was not in sight. She Avalked on until she got Avet, and walked on 
until dry again, and even sat down occasionally to rest, Avithout catch- 
ing a glimpse of Locke or his oxen. In fact she saAv no more of either 
until five hours after her arrival at Reedsburg, Avhen they came poking 
sloAvly into toAvn. Surely that Avas a sIoav train. 

Mr. Locke delivered the first sermon for Reedsburg people soon after 
his arrival. He noAV resides on a farm near the village, and which he 
located at an early day. He is a peculiar man. Though a minister, he 
belongs to no sect. He claims that God's church is all one church, and 
that religion should be free. He will take no pay for his services in that 
line. He is a stirrring man, and will sometimes do the amount of a day's 



History of Heedsburg, Wisconsin. 87 

work oil his farm in the morning, before the neighbors are up. He has 
the Bible at tongue's end, and is said to make his sermons up therefrom. 

The year 1841> brouglit a few other settlers. Z. T. Carver and his 
wife and two children came that year. So did Daniel Carver. The 
latter located on a farm. Mr. Vernoy and family, J. V. Mowers, Hor- 
ace Carver and Samuel Chase also settled here that year. All but Mr. 
Chase have removed to other parts of the country. 

D. B. Rudd and E. 0. Rudd, brothers, now proprietors of Rudd's 
Mills, on the line of the West Wisconsin Railway, were among the pio- 
neers, having arrived here in 1840. They Avere single men, and they 
brought their mother and sister to keep house for them. But Colonel 
Strong, who came in the next year, finally coaxed that sister to accept 
the position of Mrs. R. M. Strong, and to make glad his home instead 
of theirs. The blow was a terrible one to the brothers. Neither ever 
took another house-keeper. The frost of life's winter is gleaming 
among their dark hair, but no gentle hand ever strokes it away. Though 
wealthy and influential, they have turned from woman-kind, and live 
only to console each other. Z. T. Carver, Avas also a settler in 1849. 
lie located on a farm. 

A. F. Leonard, now a grocer on Main street, Avas another of the set- 
tlers of 1849. His brother, John Leonard, and a George Huffnail, 
accompanied him. Himself and the latter gentleman took up land, tAvo 
and a half miles distant from the present village of Reedsburg, and the 
two built a shanty in partnership on Leonard's portion. Previous to the 
arrival of their families, they did their OAvn cooking, Avhen they Avere 
fortunate enough to have anything to cook. They Avere much annoyed, 
for a time, by the Indians, Avho begged for everything that they pos- 
sessed. At first, it Avas thought that it would be best to conciliate the 
natives by acceeding to their demands ; but the begging continued, and 
the settlers soon found that they must stop giving, or be Avithout needed 
articles themschcs. But they had given enough to make the Indians 
very persistent, so much so that ]\Ir. A. F. Leonard had his patience 
exhausted, and he determined to rid his house of the nuisances. One 
morning, he armed himself Avith bowie knives and pistols, an<l Avent 
about his Avork Avith a darkly threatening broAV. The Indians made 
their daily visit as usual, but, f)r the first time they ommitted the 
begging. They gathered in little groups, gestured and talked ; they 
even approached Mr. Leonard and examined tlie knives and pistols, 
Avithout expressing the slightest Avant. Finally they Avent away. The 
inmates of the cabin, it must be said, Avere a little anxious concerning 
11 



88 American Shetch Book. 

the result of the strategy. The cabin itself had not even a door. A 
blanket was all that interposed between them and danger, Avhen asleep. 
How easily the savages could massacre them and appropriate the coveted 
possessions. It was not a very pleasant reflection. In fact, that same 
night they were awakened by the tread of horses feet, seemingly a great 
number. Only two of the men were at home, John Leonard having 
gone to Mr. Rork's to do a baking. The intruders would march up to 
the house, then stop as if in council, retreat and march up again. All 
through that long and terrible night the two men sat up in bed, pistols 
in hand, calculating to kill the first savage that dared to laise the blan- 
ket ; and all night the marching toward the cabin and the retreating 
from it were continued at intervals. But daylight found the anxious 
inmates still unmolested. They noAV carefully crept from their beds 
and began to rcconnoiter the situation. The first peep disclosed the 
trouble : A drove of Indian ponies had broken from confinement, and 
had spent the night in close proximity to the cabin. No Indians Avere 
to be seen. 

Samuel Leonard, father of the two men mentioned, also settled here 
in 1849. He died seme years since. E. L. Leonard, son of A. F. 
Leonard, now keeps a toilet and barber shop on Main street. 

The whole country was at a later time the scene of a severe Indian 
scare, brought about in this Avise: The Indians were seen in counsel, 
shaking their heads and displaying a war-like spirit. Some apprehen- 
sions person, who saw this, immediately started a report that the Indians 
were planning an attack, which rapidly spread, causing a general con- 
sternation. So great a feeling of fear, and a determination to fight 
existed, that some parties came near shooting their relatives, Avho had 
been absent, and were returning home after dark, thinking that the 
intruders might be Indians. On examination it Avas found that the 
Indians Avere counseling over the Avrongs of their brothers farther north, 
Avho Avere besieged by the Sioux and Chippewas. The Winnebagoes at 
this place were more frightened than the Avhites. They Avere not only 
debarred from getting assistance from the Avhites, but were apprehen- 
sive that the latter Avould arise and destroy them. 

The first fourth-of-July celebration occurred in 1849. There Avas 
little Avith Avhich to make a celebration, but the people were very patri- 
otic. The men determined to raise a liberty-pole on that occasion, and 
regretted that they had no flag to adorn it. But the Avomen resolved 
that a flag should adorn that same pole, and they set their wits to Avork 
in order to find material. The men wore blue denims clothes, and so 



History of Rcedsburg^ Wisconsin. 89 

did many of the women, but this, after much wear, was not very blue. 
Neither could they get a piece large enough for the ground work of th e 
flag, so it was resolved that the stars should be blue put upon a white 
ground. The men wore buck-skin patches on tlie seats and knees of 
their pantaloons, and, to economize as well as to get pieces that were of 
a brighter blue, the women cut out the denims under the buck skin and 
made it into stars. A woman's under-garment furnished a square of 
white, and some strips; while, by a little shortening up of the men's 
shirts, some red stripes were obtained. But the women did not knoAV 
how to cut a five-pointed star, and in consequence the stars on that flag 
all had six points. Horace Croswell was the ladies' man at tliat period, 
and general confidant. (Mrs. Seeley says he was just such a man as 
Mr. Ellinwood was more recently, and before marriage.) To him the 
women confided the secret, showing him the flag. " That won't do," 
he immediately declared. " The national star has only five points." 
So the stars were all ripped off"; and, as there was no material to make 
new one?, one point of each was cut off, and the others twisted into 
shape. One young lady, Agnes McClung, embroidered on a piece of 
cloth that charming couplet : 

" The star siiansled banner, long may it wave, 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." 

This Avas tacked on the flag, and the work was pronounced complete. 
Then came the dinner to prepare. Groceries and luxuries were few, 
but the combined possessions of the settlers formed quite an array of 
dainties, though no one person could have made even a pie, independent 
of her neighbors. Rev. A. Locke delivered the address. His only 
trouble was his forgetting the exact date of the declaration of indepen- 
dence ; and, no one being able to inform him, his hearers bade him 
" proceed and never mind it." Otherwise the lecture was pronounced 
a success. The dinner, the like of which had never been tasted in this 
part of the world before, was highly enjoyed, and the remains of it were 
given to the Indians, that they might make merry too. The celebra- 
tion Avas held in the mill, which had neither floor nor roof. But some 
loose boards had been put down, and upon these the people danced that 
night, lighted by only a fcAV flickering tallow-dips. It was the first 
dance in Reedsburg. The old settlers speak of that time as the most 
enjoyable four th-of- July of their whole lives. 

The first school was a missionary school, and was taught by Amanda 
Saxby, in her father's shanty, in the winter of 184*J. There were 
seven scholars, and seven of the family to occupy the twelve feet square 
room, and only one small window to light it. The lady was not very 



90 American Shetch Booh. 

successful, therefore, in teaching the "heathens," as her father is said 
to have called them, and the sch(X)l was of short existence. The next 
school was taught by Amanda. Wheeler, now Mrs. S. II. Chase, in the 
spring and summer of 1850, This school was supported by a private 
tax. The first regular disti'ict school was taught by R. M. Strong, now 
known as Colonel Strong, and rcsidino; in Baraboo. 

Miss Amanda Wheeler, who taught the second school, Avas married 
a few days after its opening, to S. 11. Chase; and this was the first 
marriage in the village. Previous to this (May, 1841*) Francis Swallow 
was married to Wash. Gi'ey, by John II. Ilork, which was the first mar- 
riage in the township. 

It seems from the records in people's mcmor}^, that Reedsburg was 
in early times abundantly supplied with itinerant preachers, some of 
whom did not live up at all times to the gospel which they preached. 
One of these was J. S. Saxby, who came in 1849. (He, however, settled 
here, and remained for some years.)" Report says that after not living 
the most praise-worthy life in this part of the world, he left liis family, 
went out Avest and married a Sfjuaw. 

Another preacher that is not pleasantly remembered by ever^^ one, 
was Rev. Daniel Wood, a Methodist, who was stationed a few miles 
Avest of the burg in 1856. Ilis salary not being immense, he took some 
land to work on shares from W. S. Ilubbell, a farmer residing some five 
miles from Reedsburg. But a difficulty arose in regard to the division 
of the crops, and a discussion with fists folloAved, in Avhich the owner of 
the land got soundly threshed. As usual in such cases, Mr. Ilubbell 
appealed to the law for redress. A warrant Avas issued, and the bel- 
ligerent clergyman Avas brought before His Honor, Justice West, on a 
charge of assault and battery. Joseph Mackey, one of the mill propri- 
etors, and a laAvyer as Avell, appeared for the prosecution, and lion. E. 
G. Wheeler, another hiAvyer of no mean reputation, for the defense. To 
the surprise of the prosecution, the reverend gentleman interposed as 
defense, the plea that he had merely been disciplining one of the stiil- 
necked of his flock. He had exhorted Brother Ilubbell, and prayed 
Avith him to no purpose ; and as a last resort had tried to pound tlie 
grace of God and the virtue of charity into him. The plea Avas not 
sustained and the defendant Avas fined. 

A. L. Secley, a brother of Austin Seeley, Avas another Avho tried 
preaching. He was a wild felloAV at best and people did not consider 
him fit for the pulpit, but he thought he had got religion and Avas called 
to preach the gospel. L. B. SAvalloAV, nnother old settler, Avho had kept 



History of Reedshurg^ Wisconsin. 91 

a blacksmith shop, store and bar in one room, for a period commencing 
in 1858, also got the preaching mania. These two exponents of the 
gospel both tried their powers of eloquence at Big Creek. Their rela- 
tive success may be estimated by the answer of one of their hearers, who 
replied, on being asked which one he liked best, that Seeley preached 
Swallow all to h — 1. It is said that both are trying their powers in 
some other land at the present time. 

The people in the early times had a peculiar way of locating land- 
seekers. Horace Croswell and Joseph Green were the committee that 
waited upon parties in search of land, to point out the best locations. 
The stranger was invariably asked if he was married, and if he had any 
children. The married men who had children were located in the vil- 
lage; the childless married men had to go out a mile or two, and the 
single ones were always informed that all the land within five or six 
miles of the village Avas taken. The citizens were determined to build 
up the village, and would take no one in that could not help with more 
than himself and wife. 

The territory of the present town of Reedsburg was formerly divided 
between the towns of Baraboo and Eagle. In 1850, a toAvn of Reeds- 
burg was established, named in honor of D. C. Reed. It comprised 
the present towns of Woodland, LaValle, Winfield and a portion of 
Ironton, in addition to Avhat is now known as Reedsburg. The town 
articles were drafted in a blacksmith shop, and upon the top of Jamos 
W. Babb's hat. The first officers of this town were, John 11. Rork, S. 
Kerstetter and W. P. Randall, Supervisors ; and Daniel Carver, Treas- 
urer. Reductions were made at intervals until 1854, when the 
town was included in its present boundaries. It is said that, in those 
early times, instead of men's feeling honored by an election, they con- 
sidered the duties of town officers so onerous that it was very difficult t<i 
fill the places at all. 

At this time there was a great rage for county-seats. Every man, as 
soon as he built a house, marked out a court house square, and expected 
his place to be the county-seat. In consequence, there was a great deal 
of rivalry and jealousy between difterent portions of the county. 

The original village plat belonged to D. C. Reed and George II. 
Irwin, a relative of Reed's; one owning the land south, and the other 
that north of Main street. The additions to Recds))urg are Mackey's 
First, made August, 1850, and Dwinnell's additi(m, made about the 
same time ; Mackey's Second and Third Additions, Motts three Addi- 
tions, and Mrs. Titus' Addition. 



92 American Shetch Book. 

The village was laid out in 1852, but a village charter was not ob- 
tained until April, 1868. The first village officers under this new 
charter were A. 0. Hunt, President and Police Justice ; and Moses 
Youno;, D. B. Rudd, Dedrich Schwecke, Wash. Warren, Nelson 
Wheeler and 0. 11. Perry, Trustees. 

E. G. Wheeler and family were among the new settlers of 1850. 
Ilis sister, JNIrs. Chase, gives the time of their arrival, with the pre- 
cision which characterizes her, as being "March IGth, 1850, 9:30 p.m." 
Mr. Wheeler found in a few hours after his coming that most, if not all, 
of the men indulged in the use of ardent spirits, and he declared em- 
phatically, in the evening of that day, that he never felt more like de- 
livering a temperance lecture in his life, and wished that he had a place 
to deliver one. The people took him at his word, and in less than a 
half hour, Shanty No. 2 had been put in order, and nearly every man, 
woman and child in the neighborhood had seated themselves therein, in 
readiness to hear the lecture. Mr. Wheeler was taken a little aback, 
when he learned that he was really expected to lecture, but he did not 
ask to be excused. He took up the temperance question and handled 
it so ably, that all were pleased beyond measure. There have been many 
temperance lectures in the village since, but old settlers declare that 
none of them equalled in excellence and pathos that one — the first tem- 
perance lecture ever delivered here. E. G. Wheeler practiced law here 
for several year s. In 1854, he was elected as County Judge, since 
which time he has been known as Judge Wheeler. He was afterwards 
a resident of Sparta, and later went to Dakota. 

Quite an excitement occurred in 1850 in this wise : Caleb Croswell 
and another man were out with a team after supplies, and when some 
twenty miles from home, they felt the need of water and halted at a spot 
where traces of water existed. Leaving the team in the charge of his 
companion, Caleb went on a prosj)ecting tour among the hills. Finding 
himself unsuccessful he concluded to return, but on endeavoring to do 
so, found that he was lost. He Avas so bewildered that he wandered 
around and around, occasionally coming upon his own tracks. The man 
in charge of the team waited for him until the next day, Avhen he re- 
turnd to Ileedsburg with the news that Caleb was missing, Fear and 
suspicion at once seized the minds of the inhabitants, and imagination 
soon made them nearly wild with apprehension. The women began 
l):ikiiig and continued it for hours, until sufficient food for a long hunt 
was ready. Mrs. Seeley's adopted child Avas dying, but she bade her 
husband go, saying she Avould watch Avith it alone. Every man in the 



Ilistory of Iteedshurg, Wisconsin. 03 

village went. Poor Caleb had Avandered three days without any food 
and, discouraged, had lain down to die, when the sound of a cowbell 
fell upon his cars. What sweet nuisic it Avas ! It told of lile, of friends, 
of home! Hope made him strong, lie got up, traced out the animal, 
kept near her and finally followed to a house. There he told his story, 
and the good people carefully attended lo his wants. There the Reeds- 
burg people found him, weak from his four days fast and wandering; Init 
alive and safe. 

Caleb Croswell was elected to the Asseml)ly from Sauk County tlia,t 
same fall. Afterwards he Avas consul to some part of Russia, and from 
there has returned, and now resides at Chicago. 

The first store Avas opened in the spring of 1850, by J. F. Sanford, 
Avith 0. II. Perry in charge, and Avas kept for a time in a bar-room. 
The amount of merchandise on hand Avas small, and in order to prevent 
the annoyance of people's asking for articles not on hand, a half sheet 
of paper containing a catalogue of goods for sale, was kept posted on 
the door, so that all might ascertain, without asking, if the articles 
Avanted Averc there. 

J. S. Strong and family made their advent here in the fall of 18r>0. 
Strong & Son (the latter is noAV knoAvn as Col. R. M. Strong) opened 
a store soon after their arrival. The Strong family Avere noted for their 
extreme piety and kindly dispositions. Mrs. Strong Avas a mother to 
the Avhole village. Henry C. Strong, railroad agent at Baraboo, is the 
younger son of J. S. Strong. J. Mackey tells a little story concerning 
Henry, that illustrates how the children were raised. Mr. Mackey and 
some friends were to start out hunting one Monday morning, and being 
out of ammunition, the former Avent to Strong's store to repl enish his 
stock on Sunday evening. Henry Strong, then a lad, Avas the one he 
intervicAved concerning the purchase of the same. " Sir," replied 
Henry Avitli a polite boAV, (the Strongs are all politeness doubly refined) 
" we do not sell goods on Sunday ; but Ave shall be pleased to accommo- 
date you to-morroAV." " But, Henry, Ave are to start before you are up," 
pleaded Mr. INIackey. " Can't help that, sir (Avith another bow) my 
father's orders are to sell no goods on Sunday, and you can buy no 
ammunition here to-day." The extreme earnestness and decision, coupled 
with such marked politeness, set Mr. jNIackey into a roar of laughter, 
instead of displeasing him. 

The parents of this model family have gone to their long hom?s, but 
their memory is fresh in the hearts of the people. 

Colonel Strong is said to possess great native modesty, Avhich Avas 



94 American Shetvh Booh. 

illustrated in an election that took place in 1854. Samuel Ramsey and 
Colonel Strong Averc both running on the same ticket as toAvn superin- 
tendent; and the result was a tie vote, Avhich was decided by drawing 
cuts, endirig in favor of Ramsey. " I was a plaguey fool," said the 
Colonel to Ramsey, at a later date. " I might have been elected, but 
I was so d d modest that I voted for you instead of myself." 

Some of the women tell another pretty good story on Colonel Strong, 
and which happened at an early day, before the Colonel had got caught 
in the meshes of matrimony, and when he was somewhat charmed by 
the black eyes and gay humor of one Kate Huffnail. This young girl 
lived in the country, and used to come to the village, at times, on horse- 
back to do her trading. On one occasion, she rode a spirited horse, and 
while indulging in small talk with the Colonel before leaving for home, 
dared him to take a ride with her. The Colonel, thinking perhaps to 
intimidate her, sprang, hatlcss, on the horse behind her; whereupon the 
girl applied the whip to the already restless animal, and away they 
went like mad people, to the intense amusement of the lookers-on, never 
pausing until they reached Huffnail's house, two miles and a half distant. 
The Colonel is probably too sedate to do so now. 

Dr. R. G. Williams, Avho settled here in the fall of 1850, was the 
first resident physician. He died in 1854, but he is remembered as a 
man of integrity, learning and most successful practice. The faith of 
the people in his ability to heal was remarkable. For years after his 
death, no one died but the remark was made that had Dr. AVilliams been 
living such a thing would not have occurred. 

Dr. Williams was succeeded in practice by Dr. Samuel Ramsey, who 
settled here in November, 1853, bringing a young wife with him. The 
doctor, previous to his coming, had been quite a traveler, — in fact, had 
been through the Mexican war, first doing duty as a couunon soldier in 
the regular army, and afterwards second lieutenant of his company, 
having been promoted from the ranks to that position. At the end of 
eight years, after becoming a resident of this place, the doctor retired 
from the practice of his profession. He is now in the drug business on 
Main street, and also deals largely in hops. 

Among the settlers of 1850, were George Kellogg and family. His 
son John, in 1853, started the first brick-yard in the town ; and some 
four years later opened a small grocery. Becoming dissatisfied, John 
started for Pike's Peak in 1850, renting his store, during his absence, to 
his brother-in-law, N. Y. Chandler. He got cured of the gold fever 
before reaching his destination, and soon returned to his regular business. 



Historij of llcednhuvij^ WlsoonHui. 95 

The aiuouut of his goods could not have been hirge, for we iind in a 
" Free Press" of 18G0, tliat he advertised the sale of his complete stock, 
wortli twenty-five dollars, at reduced rates, to nuike room fin- several 
dollars Avorth of goods, which he had just ordered from Milwaukee. 
But he seems to have made money by his business, since in 18(J(>, he 
added dry goods to his other merchandise. Mr. Kellogg was also post- 
master for a number of years, resigning in 1872, in tavor of his present 
partner, A. L. Harris, who came into this village in 1871. The firm 
of KelloiTsj ifc Harris is now a lar^e wholesale and retail iceneral mer- 
chandise house, second to none in the village Kcllo<i;2; & Harris also 
deal largely in .hops. In 1874, they bought and shipped 1,058 bales, 
being the largest amount bought by any one firm, on its own account, 
in this great hop centre. Mr. Kellogg is also express agent, having 
filled that position ever since the coming of the railroad into this place. 

0. H. Perry, now of the firm of Perry & Lincoln, a general mer- 
chandise house on Main street, dates his coming to Recdsburg from 
i8o0. He was sent here to run Sanford's store, the first in the village. 
He Avas deputy sheriff for eight years, ending in 1862, when he opened 
in the mercantile business for himself. S. II. Chase was another of the 
settlers of 1850. So was James Coughran and family. 

A Methodist Episcopal church was organized by Rev. Nelson Butler, 
in November, 1850, at the residence of John Clark, w'ith twelve mem- 
bers, six of whom were rectived on probation. The society erected a 
building in 1855, which was named the Recdsburg Tabernacle, and 
which served for worship a long time, when in 1872, a more pretentious 
edifice was built. The present pastor of the Methodist church is 
Rev. N. Leech. 

Some of the early settlers greAv to be economical, — perhaps it was 
necessary that they should be. There is a story of one of them to this 
effect: Some of his family were ill, and mutton soup had been ordered 
by the physician. He had several sheep, but he did not like to kill 
them, merely for a little soup, so he hit upon a plan by which he hoped 
to retain all of the sheep and have the soup as well. He cut off the 
tails of the animals, and thus manufactured the needed article Avithout 
slaughtering any of them. We cannot, hoAvever, recommend this 
method to people in general, as Ave are told that his sheep died from the 
effects of the strategy. 

Another incident of pioneer life is shown in the fact that nearly every 
person in the toAvn, at onetime, had the prairie itch. It is said, though 
we do not vouch for the truth of the assertion, that they had scratching 

12 



i>G Amei'ican JS ketch Booh. 

boos for amusement; and this "was how it Avas done: A couple stood up 
back to back, each placing the left foot against the calf of the opposite 
leg, the left hand on the left thigh, and the right hand on the left arm ; 
then began to scratch to a great advantage, as back, leg, thigh and arm 
Avere, in this manner, scratched at one and the same time. Occasionally 
the position of the arms and legs Avas reversed. It is said a great 
deal of amusement and comfort Avere furnished in this manner. 

Still another phase of pioneer life, that might seem laughable noAv, 
Avas that the early settlers, men Avomen and children, all A^'ent bare-foot 
during the summers, and Avore Indian moccasins in the Avinters. 

Bears continued to be quite plenty, and hunting them Avas a great 
amusement for the people. There is a story told of hoAV one Sunday, 
Avliilc Mr. Saxby Avas preaching, a bear Avas seen by one of the audience 
from a AvindoAV, Avhereupon the Avord "bear" Avas Avhispcred audibly by 
a dozen different persons. This caused a rush for the door. In less 
than five minutes, every man, Avoman and child had started after the 
beai', and Mr. Saxby must discontiniie his discourse, or preach to the 
naked Avails. 

]{ee<lsbuig luul been in existence some tAvo years. before a child A^as 
born, and oAving to the fact that the influx of immigation Avas scanty, 
fears Avere entertained that the colony Avould die out in time, uidess 
something Avas done to renew the population. There Avas but one 
traveled road entering the place, and that led from Baraboo hitherward. 
The Keedsburg peo|)le say that the Barabooites stopped all travelers, 
and offered them inducements to settle there, and if possible, prevented 
them from journeying further, — Avhich Avas very commendable to the 
enterprise of Baraboo, though derogatory to the groAvth of Ileedsburg. 
Mr. Reed, Avho Avas always ready for emergencies, hit upon a plan to 
increase the population, by home culture; and accordingly offered a 
choice of any unsold village lot to the woman Avho Avould present the 
town with the first baby. Mrs. Seeley went immediately to Baraboo, 
and took a motherless babe therefrom to raise. But it Avas decided that 
nothing foreign, premature or blasted could obtain the offered prize. It 
must be a home-born, healthy, baAvling, kicking baby. There were 
some eighteen married Avomen in the village Avho could enlist in the enter- 
prise, and the sequel shoAVS that nearly all of them made up their minds 
to go into the real estate business ; since fifteen babies Avere born during 
the succeeding A' ear, the first being the son to Jacob MoAvers, who Avas 
named J. Roundy Mowers. There Avere, however, births in the toAvn- 
ship previous to this. A daughter Avas born to Thompson Shcphard in 



History of Mcedshurg^ Wisconsi)i. 07 

January, 1848 ; a pair of twin girls to D. C. Barry, a few weeks later, 
and in March, of the same year, a daughter to Sterne Baker. 

Reedshurg had among its early settlers an old maid, whose success in 
the matrimonial market may be an encouragement to the old maids of 
the present day. This old maid was not blessed with abundant beauty, 
for which reason the men did not wait upon her as often as Avas desir- 
able ; hence, being determined to be in society, she sometimes had to 
resort to strategy in order to secure a companion. At one time, there 
was to be a dance, to which she had no invitation, but Avhich she resolved 
to attend. A young man, 11. Sprague, now of Eau Claire, boarded 
where this old maid lived. But he had a girl whom he invited to tlie 
dance, and so took no notice of the old maid's assertions that she would 
like to go. Upon the night in question, he went to the stable to harness 
a horse, and when he brought the animal to the place where the sleigli 
was, he found the seat occupied by this same old maid. He did not 
know Avhat to do. He Avas too much of a gentleman to order her out, 
and he did not want to take her with him. There seemed to be no help 
for the latter course, and he was obliged to submit. But he was so 
angry that he did not dance with her a single time during the whole 
night. Sometime afterward, a man living somewhere on the prairie, 
lost his wife. The old chap was possessor of about a dozen children, 
the younger being a babe two or three months old. There was tr()ul)lc 
at the shanty. Somebody must take care of the children ; and wlio 
beside a wife would do such a task ? Then where was a wife even to be 
found? Emergencies, however, (lemande<l immediate action, and he 
went out in search of some one to enjoy with him the comforts of his 
shanty, and the possession of the dozen youngsters, stopping at every 
house Avith the (piestion : " Ts there any Avimming here as Avaiits lo git 
married ? " The in(iuiry did not always elicit a pleasant reply, for in 
one or two places he Avas answered by the sudden appearance of a l)rooHi- 
stick. Still he persevered until he reached the village, Avhen somebody 
recommended the old maid to him. lie did not have to journey farther. 
A match Avas immediately made, the marriage taking place scarcely a 
Aveek later. Some of the lovers of mischief climbed upon the roof of 
the shanty and peeped through tlie cracks to Avitness the courtship. 
They aver that he began thus : " Dear, if you love me as I do you, 
come and sit on my lap." She did, and she Avent. After the mai- 
riage, the pair proceeded, at once, to look after the needs of the dozen 
children. They found the house filled Avith Avomen, and on the bed Avas 
a row of babies, from wbich the biido Avas laughinglv told to clioos(! lier 



98 American Shetch Booh. 

own. The old maid is said to have made a first-rate wife and mother; her 
devotion to the children was great, and when people spoke of it, her 
reply was : "I can't help but love the little darlings, for I love their 
dear father so much." Widowers should take note, and not pass the 
old maids by when in search of wives. 

In the spring of 1851, the famous saw-log war occurred. The Bara- 
boo people were running logs down the Baraboo river, past Reeds' mill. 
Reed claimed that those logs were cut on government land, and in order 
to purchase them cheap, in case he could influence a seizure of them, 
or to get the sawing to do, he dammed the river, and held them at this 
point. Several irate Barabooites came immediately to Reedsburg, to 
demand their release, but did not accomplish that mission ; and, it is 
said, that seventy armed men, accompanied by the Deputy United 
States Marshal, arrived here the next day, to compel the cutting away 
of the dam. The marshal gave the order, his men went to work, and 
the logs were speedily let loose. The Reedsburg people looked on this 
action as a step beyond the province of the marshal, and they immedi- 
ately arrested him. The affair caused considerable excitement in both 
villages. Some Reedsburg persons, determined that the logs should not 
go down to their destination, felled trees across the river to prevent 
their progress, which of course, made the Barajjooites considerable 
trouble. The latter, however, came out ahead. They released the 
marshal with a writ of habeas corpus^ and the jJffair never came to trial. 

A Congregational church was organized in 1851, at the school-liouse, 
with ten members. S. S. Saxby was the first resident preacher of any 
denomination in the village, and the pastor of this church. S. A. 
Dwinnell was pastor of the same church for several years, commencing 
in January, 1852. In 1855, a church edifice was erected at a cost of 
one thousand six hundred dollars. This was the first church building 
in the village. In 1871, it was repaired and re-furnished at an expense 
of one thousand two hundred dollars. The present pastor is W. II. 
Ilinkley. 

The McDonald family made their advent into this town in 1851. 
Enos, one of the children, has a grocery and liquor store on A'^ine street. 
In company with his tAvo brothers, John and James, he works a firm of 
four hundred and twenty acres, raising a large amount of produce for 
sliipment. 

Reuben Rork, now known as A. R. Rork, has a cigar manufactory 
in tlie village at the present time. 

The l>aptist clinrch of licedsburg was organized in January, 1852, 



History of Beechhurg^ Wisconsin, 00 

by Rev. P. Conrad, of Baraboo. A large edifice was built by this 
society, in 1872, at an expense of over two thousand dollars. Rev. G. 
W. Lincoln is the presiding pastor for 1875. 

Rev. S.A. Dwinnell became a resident of this place in lsr)2, and skill 
remains such. Mr. Dwinnell bears the reputation of being a very 
decided man. In fact, a Mrs. Rathbun was once heard to say that her 
husband and Mr. Dwinnell were the "two sottest men in town." Mr. 
Dwinnell has always been a staunch abolitionist, and as such had some 
stirring controversies with the conservative men, during the war, and 
also previous to it. He is a man of remarkable memory, and some lit- 
erary ability, and is in general much beloved by the people. A long 
and unpromising illness has taken him from the pulpit, but he continues 
to write occasionally. His articles are historical. Illustrative of his 
determined nature, we will give a good story that is told about him, 
which shows how one's own disposition has an effect upon not only his 
household, but on the animals in his care. Mr. Dwinnell had raised a 
fine cow, which, though she gave a large mess of rich milk, she generally 
determined to kick over. Objecting to this determination, the Elder 
made up his mind to sell her. A purchaser was found, who in(piiied 
concerning her character. "She gives an abundance of rich milk," said 
the Elder. " The only objection I have to her, is that she is a very 
determined cow. If she gets a notion into her head, she is liard to 
change." The customer put little weight on the last remark, and he 
bought the animal. However, the first time he milked her, she upset 
the milk, and, some people do say, upset him, too. In a rage, he Hew 
to her former owner, and demanded to knoAV why such a beast had been 
recommended to him. " Does she not give plenty of rich milk ? " was 
asked. "Yes, but she kicks like thunder." "I told you she was a 
determined cow," said Mr. Dwinnell. " If she makes up her mind to 
kick, all the Avorld can't stop her ; and from what you say it seems she 
has." This incident will do to go along with another that J. Mackey 
tells on himself. He wanted to purchase some cattle, soon after his ar- 
rival in Reedsburg, and one Metcalf oft'ercd him a yoke that seemed 
very desirable. Mr. Mackey knew nothing about cattle, and so asked 
their ages, in order to be satisfied in regard to tlieni. "They were 
called seven and eight Avhen I got them, and I have had them a year 
which would make tliem eight and nine," was Metcalf 's response. This 
satisfied Mr. Mackey, and he made the purchase. 'Wq oxen were well 
enough Avhilc the grass was young and tender, it being spring when Mr. 
Mackey bought them ; but after a time they began to grow poor and 



100 American STcetch Booh. 

feeble, when it was discovered that they had no teeth, and could not bite 
the grass. Nor was this all, since knowing ones affirmed that the cattle 
were nearly a score of years old. Later, when Mackey and Metcalf 
met, the former demanded to know why the latter had lied to him. But 
jNIctcalf excused the deceit by declaring that he had never lied about the 
matter. He had simply said that they were called so and so, ending the 
statement with the malicious remark : " The next time you buy cattle, 
examine their teeth." Mackey acted on this advise, and bought a yoke 
of cattle having sound teeth, only to discover that they were diseased in 
the legs. This disgusted him, and he retired from the cattle business. 

The position of the pioneers seems to have been trying for some years. 
Reed was always involved in debt, and his workmen never received their 
wages in money. Lumber was the general currency, and it was often 
below par, as the men sometimes were obliged to sell at any price that 
they could get for it, and take their pay in trade at that. Sometimes, 
when the men could not get their pay, they would take the mills from 
Reed, and run said mills until they had what was owing to them. At 
one time the mills Avere run, in this manner, by Carver, Rork k West. 
These three men set the grist mill a-going for the first time. Reed had 
partially built it, and then stopped on account of lacking funds. Car- 
ver, Rork & West completed it and ran it about a year, to get back what 
money they expended on it. Previous to the completion of the grist 
mills, flour had to be hauled from Madison and Portage, — Baraboo 
being but a mere hamlet, and no better off than Reedsburg. 

In 1853, J. Mackey, then of Sclioharie county, New York, made ar- 
rangements for purchasing the grist and saw mills, together with three 
hundred and twenty acres of land adjacent to them, and six hundred 
acres of pine land, lying from eight to fourteen miles further up the 
river. Mr. Reed had ])ecome deeply involved, and not being able to 
raise the heavy mortgages on his property, was obliged to let it pass out 
of his hands. In the spring of 1854, Joseph Mackey and his brother 
Safford took possession of the mills. At that time the grist mill 
consisted of one run of stones, and tlie saw mill of two up-and-down 
saws, both mills being much out of repair. The new proprietors put 
them in complete order, and immediately began to pay cash for labor 
and supplies, which gave a new impetus to the business and growth of 
the town. The nearest mills to the cast were then at Delton and Bara- 
boo; and to the west on the Kickapoo river. An additional run of 
stones was put in the Reedsburg grist mill to meet the increasing busi- 
ness, and from th:i,t time the rapid growth and prosperity of the village 



Hi star !/ of Meethburg, Wi^icoiu^in. loi 

seemed certain. It became the centre of trade for a lai-i-e secti(»ii of 
country, extending as far west as the Kickapoo. In 1S55, or there- 
abouts, a first-class store was erected, and supplied with goods by Messrs. 
Young & Northrup, and several other stores, of more limited stocks of 
goods, were opened, in order to fill the demand. The prosperity of 
Keedsburg continued with unabated vigor, until the year l<sr)7, Avlicn 
the general stagnation which overwhelmed the whole country, had a 
baneful infiuence here, in common Avith other parts. The less courage- 
ous returned to their eastern homes, or went still farther west, and for 
a tune the village seemed at a stand-still. 

During the year 1855, the Mackey Brothers associated with them in 
business another brother. Dr. E. 11. Mackey. The latter remained here 
from that time until 1860, Avhen he returned to Catskill, New York, 
and resumed the practice of his profession. 

Among the settlers of 1853, we find the following now doing business 
here: A, M. Sanders, proprietor of a carriage factory, Avhich lias been 
in operation for four years. This factory employs four hands, viz : II. 
Chandler, John Shale, Michael Buckley and William Barth. A. M. 
Sanders Avas only a lad upon coming to this ])]ace. Ilis father, John 
Sanders, settled on a farm, Avhere he still resides. Peter Emser, a black- 
smith, came in 1853, and finally succeeded in business J. Leach, a 
blacksmith Avhose residence dates fiirthcr back, and avIio Avas the first of 
his trade in the village. William Winchester, the first ])ainter here, ar- 
rived the same year. So did John Miles, a mason. D. A. Baridiart, 
dates his residence here from 1854. He is a gunsmith. 

Moses Young became a resident here in 1854. He built the store 
where Hunt & Chase now are, and opened it with general merchandise. 
This he kept fourteen years. Saft'. Mackey and H. C. Hunt Avent into 
company Avith him in 1806. Young and INIackey retired from the firm 
in 1868, and H. C. Hunt continued the business. Mr. Young seems 
to have been much liked as a merchant by the people. 

The then young folks at Reedsburg and vicinity, at that time, do not 
appear to have had a proper appreciation of the value of education. 
Sedate, married ladies and gentlemen of the present day laugh until 
tears stand in their eyes, over the memories of their school-days. In 
the Avinter of 1854, Garrett Rathburn, a Methodist minister, opened a 
select school in the village. It Avas intended to be a high-toneil institu- 
tion, and some thirty young people of both sexes Avcre the pupils. The 
teacher Avas a patient, plodding Christian, a man Avhose extreme con- 
scienciousness caused him to bear and forbear, until these grand qualities 



102 American Sketch Booh 

^vere scarcely to be called virtues. lie was also slightly det'ormcd, his 
upper jaw and teeth projecting far over the lower ones. He spoke, from 
this cause, with some difficulty, and when in haste or in earnest, he 
Avould sputter and spit incessantly while communicating. His scholars 
were all large, but a number of them went to school for fun only. They 
were not vicious, and did not intend to be mean, but the love of mis- 
chief reigned in their natures. The leaders of the trouble-makers were 
two rollicking boys, Reuben Rork and Phil. Redfield, whose pranks 
rendered futile all the minister's hard endeavors to keep a good school 
and those of the more studious scholars to learn. A rickety old stove, 
that could scarcely stand alone, the only means of warm ing the room 
was made by these boys an instrument of daily torture to the teacher, 
as one or the other was sure to stumble over it, or tip against one of its 
legs, thereby knocking down both stove and pipe, and filling the room 
with smoke. For instance, Reuben and Phil, would go after wood. 
Reuben Avould take the lighter wood and go ahead. By an agreement 
Phil, would trip him, and he falling would upset the stove. Then Reu- 
ben Avould pretend to be angry, and a regular fight Avould ensue, Avhich 
the teacher would strive in vain to stop. To get into the garret and 
put up the pipe would be the next thing. The boys would mash the 
pipe and oblige the teacher to crawl through the small hole, and would 
keep him there until his eyes were nearly smoked out, in their intended 
carelessness, preventing him from accomplishing the task. But they 
were sorry for their carelessness, and worked so zealously to repair the 
damage, that the good man could not find it in his heart to punish them 
for what seemed only an accident after all, though continually repeated. 
Some mischief was always in order. If nothing else, the boys were 
unable to understand their lessons, and compelled the patient teacher to 
explain again and again, until he would be completely exhausted. If 
it were an example in arithmetic, he wonld get so earnest over it that he 
would sputter spittle over the black-board, whereupon the youths would 
rub it all out, saying that he had spit on it so that they could not tell 
Avhat it Avas ; and the poor master would repeat the explanations until 
the boys grew Aveary of that kind of sport, and began to invent some 
other. They were always dignified, and apparently obedient ; and the 
more dignified they became, the greater reason there Avas for apprehen- 
sions of brewing mischief. Some of the pitying scholars hope that the 
good man Avill be recompensed in some after time for all he suffered that 
Avinter. 

A school teacher Avas "run out" somewhat later, at Jane's district, 



KELLOGG & HARRIS, 



DEALERS JN 



3 — : 

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9 






REEDSBURC, WISCONS! 



OUnJERS SOI.TCITJED. 



WE HAVE CONSTANTLY ON HAND A 



CnOZCE STOCXS 



OP 



WkWim 



eI®© 



AT 



' Ho 

TPEI 



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AND ON 



FAVORABLE TERMS. 



PROMFTLT FILLJ^fD 



CARE TAKEN TO SELECT 



THE BEST HOPB 



UUtury of ReeiUbunj^ WhoouHiii 103 

a mile ami a half distant from Rcedsburg, by some boys, who, on < n 
sharp winter night, filled the school-house chimney with straw, and let 
water drip upon it until it was a solid mass from bottom to top. On 
attempting to make a fire the next day, the teacher go't his eyes nearly 
smoked out to no purpose, as it took the hottest days of the succeeding 
summer to thaw the obstruction so it could be removed.. It was at the 
former school that Reuben Rork finished his graduating course. Mr. 
Rork, however, informs us that he and Phil, did make one other at- 
tempt to attend, or ratlier break up, a school. One, S. J. Bro\vn, a 
man of great firmness and huge proj)ortions, was the teacher. The 
boys consulted concerning the feasibility of trying to "run him out," 
and they concluded that they were able to do it. Rut ui)on Reuben's 
first attem})t at mischief, the nuister Avalked up to the youth, without a 
word of inrpiiry, and grabljing him by the shoulders, threshed the ll(jor 
the entire length and back with him, all the time continuing the lesson 
which was at that time being heard, as calndy as if nothing unusual 
were happening. The boy imagined that he Avas about killed; and on 
being released, Avhispcred to Phil., " How is this? " The answer was : 
"It's bad. Guess he is too much for us," 

Mr. Rathburn also made the attempt to organize a singing-school, 
during his residence at Reedsburg, but with no better success. Himself 
and the pu})ils met one evening at the school-room for that purpose. 
There was no light excepting what was given by a single tallow-candle, 
which had been brought by the teacher. This he took in one hand, the 
tallow dripping over his fingers, while he attempted Avith the other hand 
to draw the lesson on the black-board. Meantime the young folks were 
amusing themselves at his expense. Wearied by their noise, he cora- 
niandcd "order! " only to find himself unheeded. " I will have order," 
he declared, with all the dignity he could command. The titter in- 
creased. " I will have order I " he repeated ; and before any one was 
aware of his intention he blew out the tallow'-dip, and, with it in his 
liand, started for his lodgings, leaving the unruly scholars to get out of 
the dark room the best way that they could. The singing-school was 
not continued. This same preacher for a time conducted the Sabbath 
services. The poor man used to go bare-foot, or wear moccasins during 
the week, but indulged in the luxury of a pair of boots on Sundays. 
His desk was an ungainly thing with legs, which exposed his feet to the 
view of the consrciiation, who could not fail to observe one naked 
great toe protruding through a hole in the boot. Sunday after Sunday 
that great toe edifieil a portion of the people far more than did the sermon. 

13 



104 American Sketch Book. 

Giles Stevens, a hiAvyer still practicing law licre, iinived Avith his 
family in 1854, and began the practice of his profession. He "was the 
third attorney in town, E. G. Wheeler and Joseph Mackey having pro- 
ceeded him. The next in order was William Miles. There is a story 
told of how, when L. B. Swallow was elected Justice of the Peace, Giles 
Stevens retiring. Swallow went to Stevens to be qualified. "II — 1!" 
ejaculated Stevens, " I can SAvear you in, but God Almighty couldn't 
qualify you ! " A companion to this is a story of J. Mackey 's practice. 
A tall, lank woman had engaged him to get her a divorce from her wedded 
lord, but for some reason or other, had coucluded in her own mind that 
Mr. Mackey was abetting her husband. Consequently she opened the 
vials of her wrath upon her lawyer, who indignantly requested her to 
leave his office and never come there again. But she planted her right 
foot upon the floor and declared that she Avould not go. Enraged some- 
what by her demeanor, Mr. Mackey sprang from his seat and planted 
down his right foot somewhat as she had done, exclaiming: " Madam, 
you leave this office or — " he was about to say " I will make you," but 
observing her form which towered a whole head above him, moving de- 
fiantly toward him, he dropped his voice and added : "or I will!" 
Whereupon he slipped out of the door, and up stairs, to claim the pro- 
tection of Mrs. Mackey, leaving the irate female master of the field. 
It is said that Mr. Mackey remained closeted in his bed-room f,>r two 
whole hours thereafter, waiting for information concerning the woman's 
departure. 

Edward A. Layman and family also settled here in 1854. INIrs. 
Layman informs us that they could get no place to board, though she 
took her child, twenty months old, in her arms, and went from house to 
house looking for one. The few small houses were filled to overfiowing. 
The only hotel at that time, was the old American House, still in ex- 
istence, and the proprietor would not let her in there except to Avork. 
This she was obliged to do to obtain shelter. Soon after, her liusband 
bought the hotel that they might have a home. The hotel they after- 
wards sold. Mrs. Layman opened a millinery store, ten years ago, and 
five years later, entered into partnership in the business Avith Mrs. S. C. 
Hunt, which is still continued by these ladies. They keep a fine assort- 
ment of millinery goods. 

Sometime during the summer of 1855, tAvo men came b}'^ the Avay of 
Baraboo and passed through this village. They drove a four-horse team, 
and carried in their wagon a barrel of whisky, and some sacks, supposed 
to be filled Avith corn, or something of the kind. At Jesse Leach's 



Ilistory of Rcedshurg^ Wisconsin. 105 

tlicy stopped and had some blacksmitliing done, paying for it, and also 
a hotel bill, in coin. After their departure, it was discovered that the 
nionev was counterfeit, and Judge Weeelcr immediately issued a war- 
rant for tlieir arrest. A. F. Leonard was constable, and was sent in 
pursuit of them. On arriving at the home of the two Richard brothers, 
living Avest of Iron ton, Mr. Leonard found that the latter persons had 
also been swindled, and were anxious to avenge the same. The three 
now iK^gan the searcli in company, following on foot a trail to the west, 
The force was shortly after augmented by Bill Wood, who also lived 
near Ironton, and whom they ran across on their jaunt. On a bit of 
prairie, surrounded by hazel brush, they found the horses feeding, and 
the counterfeiters asleep. The latter were well armed, and the men in 
pursuit knew that a desperate encounter would ensue unless strategy 
was employed, and that should the other chance to awaken before being 
deprived of their liberty and arms, that blood would surely be shed. 
They moved cautiously up to the sleepers and succeeded in making the 
capture before the latter were fairly awake. The boss counterfeiter, 
finding himself in custody, asked to be allowed to draw a jug of whisky, 
which was granted, and all hands had a jolly time before returning to 
the village. Leonard searched the parties and found fifty-four dollars 
in counterfeit bills on their persons, but no Coin. L^pon their return to 
Reedsburg, the boss counterfeiter summoned two witnesses and a lawyer 
from Baraboo, to defend him. The case was tried before Justice Swiil- 
low, and lasted three days. But His Honor would accept of no wit- 
nesses against the prisoners, unless they Avould swear they were experts 
at detecting counterfeit money. No one Avould make such an oath, and 
the case was dismissed. On the same day, however, the Richard broth- 
ers found a bag, containing five hundred dollars in counterfeit coin, 
which the men had hidden in the brush, near their retreat. Sperry 
was deputy sheriff, and lie took charge of it, though what he did with 
it no one ever knew. 

A. 0. Hunt and family wore among the settlers tliis year. H. C. 
Hunt, son of A. 0. Hunt, is now doing a large business in general 
merchandise, in company with H. A. Chase, at Moses Young's old 
stand, which he bought nine years since. This firm shipped last season 
seventy car-loads of potatoes, twenty-five thousand pounds of butter, 
and ten thousand dozen of eggs, which statement will give the reader 
a small idea of tlic business, and the general shipments from this 
place. M. Finch, brother of W. H. Finch of hotel notoriety, settled 
here in 1855. lie was the first harness maker in the village, and still 
continues that business at his lar«;e establishment on Main street. 



lOG American Shetcli Booh. 

In 18r)G, the school district purchased three-fourths of an acre in the 
northeast part of the vilhigc, of Messrs. J. & S. Mackey, and on it 
built a 30x40 house, two stories high, arranged for two departments. 
This was opened by Mr. J. S. Conger, who, with his wife, taught the 
upper room — Miss Emma Tator occupying the lower room. It con- 
tinued under this efficient management for three years, save that some 
changes occurred in the lower room. Mr. A. P. Ellinwood then took 
charge of the school for two years, giving general satisfaction. He was 
assisted by Miss Alma Haskell in the room above, and Miss S. Shaw 
below. The war coming on, he enlisted, and during that struggle there 
were several changes; the following being, as near as we can ascertain, 
the order of those havino; charse : 'Mi*- Charles Newcomb, of Baraboo, 
one year, assisted by his wife ; W. S. Hubbell, one year ; he has since 
been connected for some time with the Sauk City schools, where he 
gave general satisfliction, as also at several other places ; he was followed 
by the Misses Flanders, (Sarah and May) the latter of whom taught 
one year and a half ; next came Mr. William Gillespie, who was assisted 
by Miss Frances Smith, now Mrs. A. L. Harris ; the next was Mr. 
Jeremiah Bloomer, one year, followed by Mr. George Gregory, who 
had charge of tlie upper department for some time, itnd then of the 
lower, the upper being taken by Mr. Orson Green. February Ttli, 
18G8, the building was burned. The people of Ileedsburg determined 
to profit by what seemed a severe loss, and consequently commenced 
the erection of a frame building, 40x50 feet, two stories liigh, costing 
$5,500, and in every way an improvement on the former. This Avas 
completed in October, when Mr. Albert Earthman from East Troy, took 
charge of it, remaining for six years, during which time considerable 
Avas done towards supj)lying the school with maps, charts, globe and 
other school apparatus. In the summer of 1874, Mr. Earthman re- 
moved to St. Paul, where he went to take charge of one of the ward 
schools. He was assisted in the primary department for four years by 
Miss Emeline Martindale, (now Mrs. Wortliman) who closed her labors 
at the same time as Mr. Earthman. Miss Jennie E. Little also taught 
for some time in the intermediate department. The grammar depart- 
ment is, at the present, in the charge of J. H. Gould, assisted by Miss 
J. E. Little ; intermediate department, Miss Lena Little ; primary de- 
partment, Mrs. Belle Sheldon. The number enrolled is usually about 
onc! hundred and sixty. It graduates its first class (consisting of four 
young men aiid three young ladies) at the close of the present year, all 
of tlic class intending to enter the university, freshman class. In noth- 



History of Ueedshurg^ Wisconsin. 107 

..... * 

ing is the public spirit of Recdsburg citizens shown more than in its 

determination to support first-class schools. 

In the fall of 1856, some of the principal men of the place con- 
ceived the idea that a newspaper would add largely to its importance, 
and a stock company was formed, with the shares at five dollars each. 
Two printers, named C. Lohman and P. Ruge, engaged the materials 
procured, and on the 21st of October of that year, the first number of 
the " Reedsburg Herald " was issued. It was originally intended to 
make the paper independent in politics, but upon counting uj) the 
shares of stock, it was found that all but three shares were held by 
Democrats, and as partizan politics at that time ran high, it Avas deter- 
mined by the stock -holders to publish the paper in the interest of the 
Democratic party. It was a well printed, twenty-eight column sheet, 
and unquestionably a credit to so young a place as Reedsburg was at 
that time. J. Mackey, E. G. Wheeler and S. Ramsey were announced 
as the editors, and Lohman & Ruge as the publisliers. IIow long the 
latter continued to be connected with the paper, we do not know, but 
Lohman Avas nominally publisher until sometime in the fall of 1857. 
He was a dissipated wretch, and was only retained by the stock-holders 
upon repeated promises of reformation, which he as repeatedly violated. 
Mr. J. Mackey tells a ludicrous anecdote concerning him. He had 
been on an unusually long debauch, after which he was taken to task 
by the committee representing the stock-holders, of Avhom Mr. Mackey 
was one, and told that unless he reformed his habits he must sever his 
connection with the paper. He appeared penitent, and promised total 
abstinence ; and for a while really tried to fulfill the promise. A few 
days after this, Mr. Mackey, in company with one or two friends, went 
into a saloon to take a glass of beer. Just as boniface Avas pouring out 
the foaming, aml)er li(iuid, and before it Avas raised to the ({uaffei's' lij)S, 
Avho should come in but Lohman, Casting a longing, pitiful look to- 
Avards the filled glasses, and yet standing at a safe distance from them 
he exclaimed in sorroAvful, tender tones : " Mr. Mackey, that is a most 
b-e-a-u tiful beverage ! " Mr, Mackey says he never felt so utterly di.s- 
gustcd at any act he had done, as to be caught thus setting a tempting 
example to this poor slave of appetite, so recently lectured lor his short- 
comings. 

Lohman soon lapsed into his drunken Avays. In the fall of 18.J7, 
having announced himself as agent to procure loans from the School 
Fund, he Avas engaged by a Mr. Card, of Winfield, to negotiate a loan 
for him, Avhich he did, to the amount of five hundred dollars. I'utget- 



108 A7nerican Sketch Book. 

ting on a spree, on bis way home from Madison, he either spent, lost, or 
embezzled the money. lie asserted, on bis getting home, that be had 
been robbed ; but the transaction put an end to tlie patience of the 
company, and they discharged him. For a few weeks, they employed 
t'.vo printers, named Andrew Holt and George Wing, to get out the 
paper. But the financial crash of that year having already begun to 
affect their resources unfavorably, it was found necessary to retrench, 
and they employed Mr. N. V. Chandler, avIio had removed here in 
October, to get out the paper at a stipulated price per week, which he 
continued to do until some time in February, 1858, when, on consulta- 
tion of the managers, examination of books, etc., it was demonstrated 
that every number published involved a jaositive loss, and there Avas no 
probability of any amendment; under these circumstances it was resolved 
to suspend publication forthwith, and the Roedsburg "Herald" was 
numbered amons!; the thino-s that Avere. 

We find by a reference to the columns of the "Herald" that the 
following persons Avere doing business here at the time it Avas started : 
E. G. Wheeler, J. Mackey, E. W. Olin, G. Stevens, and Wm. Miles, 
attorneys; Dr. S. Ramsey, druggist; 'W. S. Northrop, land-broker; A. 
H. Clark, proprietor livery stable ; M, & E. W. Young, Green & 
Waterman, J. Johnson & Co., J. Kellogg and W. Shumway, dealers 
in general merchandise ; W. L. Fuller, artist ; INI. Finch, harness man- 
ufacturer ; W. W. Winchester & Co. and George Myers, furniture man- 
ufacturers ; T, Lichtenhien & Co., dealers in dry goods and clothing ; 
L. H. JcAvett, grocer ; J. & S. Mackey, manufacturers of lumljer and 
flour ; Amos Pettyes, tailor ; J. & A. Smith, proprietors stage line ; W. 
Warren, blacksmith and D. Wilson, jcAvcler. 

The next newspaper venture in Reedsburg, Avas in the summer of 
1860, and was made by N. V. Chandler. As illustrating the low ebb 
to Avhicli business enterprise and public spirit had receded, Ave give Mr. 
Cha,ndlor's account of his experience in getting his paper started: 

"After the suspension of the 'Herald,' in February, 1858, upon the 
pul>lication of which I Avas employed liy the Herald Printing Company, 
after the ' Lohman fiasco,' I busied myself as best I could, doing such 
jobs of printing as I could obtain to do, using the material of the de- 
funct 'Herald,' Avhicli I rented for that purpose, and to eke out a sub- 
sistence, doing any other kind of Avork that oftcred, and even going to 
Baraboo and other points to Avork at my trade, Avhen Avork could l)e 
procured. Sometime in the f dl or winter of 185!*-()0, E. G. Wheeler, 
Avho had ac(|uired a controlling interest in the stock of the company, 



U'lHtorij of lieedsda >•(/, I Vhco ii ^' /// . 1 < >'J 

yold llu' uiatciial of tlic ' Ilei'ald ' to ;i Mr. Wells, of New lii.sboii, aii<l 
I was thus deprived of my eliief soiiree of iiieoiue. Jjiisiness of all 
kinds, all over tlic'couiitry, was at a very low ebb, and the ])rosyieet of 
success in the newspaper business was far from flatteriuii;, even if 1 had 
possessed capital to endjark in it. One day 1 was remarkin«,f to a friend 
Mr. Willard Shumway, the low condition of my finances, and des- 
pondingly iiupiired how I was to obtain the means of supjjorting my 
faniil}^ when he said to me '.Why don't you start a paper here ?' ' Start 
a paper ! ' said I. ' What have I got to start a paper with ? ' ' V\v- 
culatc a subscription,' said he, 'among the business men.' ' How much 
will you give? ' said I, somcAvhat amused at the. idea, which at the mo- 
ment I did not entertain at all. ' Oh, I will give something,' said he. 
And so the conversation terminated. But the idea remained with me. 
I had canvassed almost every other scheme for obtaining an honest live- 
lihood, and the prospect looked gloomy enough. After thinking the 
matter over, for a day or two, I came to the conclusion that it could do 
no hurt to try the experiment. I had heard of a second hand press I 
could buy at Richland Centre for fifty dollars, and I believed that for 
two hundred dollars I could get tonjethcr enou2;h second hand material 
to print a six column paper. 

" Accordingly I drew up a subscription paper, setting forth my in- 
tentions, and promising that if the sum of two hundred dollars was 
raised, I would establish a paper and publish it one year, refunding the 
amount in advertising, job work or subscription, — no portion of the 
money to be paid to me until the first number appeared. Notwith- 
standing the liberality of this proposition, after two weeks of persistent 
canvassing, (during which I exhausted my powers of rhetoric and per- 
suasion, and after demonstrating over and over again to my own satis- 
faction, at least, that if the amount Avas forth-coming, the paper would 
be also, and that, for one year, at least, Reedsburg would be represented 
among the newspaper towns of the state) I had only obtained the 
pledge of one hundred and sixty-five dollars, in sums of five to twenty 
dollars. In a fit of desperation, I went to J. F. Daiiforth, who was 
known to have some money, and proposed to him that if he would put 
down his name for the balance, thirty-five dollars, I would give him a 
mortjxaire on the material of the office, when i)rocured, before demand- 
ing the money, and would repay the loan in cash, with lawful interest, 
which was then, I think, twelve per cent. After thinking the matter 
over two or three days, and after much urging, and after taking counsel 
as to the binding nature of the agreement, he finally signed the 
subscription. 



IK) Arnerican Sketch Book. 

" All this looks very ridiculous at tliis distance of time, and in the 
light of the recent financial prosperity of the town and surrounding 
country ; but it was all dead earnest then. Like the boy engaged dig- 
ging out a wood-chuck by the roadside, Avhen asked by a traveling 
preacher, who came along, if he thought he would get the animal. 'Get 
him? ' said the boy, ' I've got to get him ! — we're out of meat, and the 
minister is to be at our house to-night I ' — I was out of meat, and some- 
thing had to be done. 

" Well, the amount of |>200 being subscribed, the question arose as 
to how I was to make it available to purchase material. By its terms, 
no part of the subscriptions was to be paid until the appearance of the 
first number. My whole available capital was five dollars in gold, while 
I was in debt to the various merchants for the means of previous sub- 
sistence. But faith in my ability to accomplish whatever I undertook 
was then strong with me, and nothing daunted, I set out f r Richland 
Center, to secure the press, walking the entire distance. I left Reeds- 
burg about eleven o'clock A. M. of a hot day in the beginning of May, 
and traveled through the woods, over roads entirely new to me, a con- 
siderable part of tlie way, to everybody else, also, as I could scarcely 
distinguish the track, and only went by "blazed" trees. I stayed at 
night at a farm-house six miles this side of the Centre, and the next 
morning walked in, through a drizzling rain. SaAv the press and its 
owner, and quickly agreed upon terms — which were that I should pay 
$50 for the press, and fifteen cents a pound for about a hundred pounds 
of nearly new minion type, Avhich was in a 'pied ' condition, — he mak- 
ing the purchase of the type a condition of selling me the press. But 
Avhen the questions of pay came to be discussed, a difficulty arose that 
threatened to be fatal to the enterprise. He knew nobody in Reeds- 
burg ; I was known by nobody at Richland Centre. I oftered a note 
signed by myself and two citizens of Reedsburg, payable in two months. 
Finally he bethought him that he had a slight acquaintance with George 
Flautt, then a law student at Reedsburg, and wrote him a letter, in 
which he stated that if George would certify to the responsibility of 
my endorsers, lie would sell me the press. I immediately started for 
home, where I arrived the same night, having walked thirty-six miles, 
and made the bargain that day. 

" George Flautt having signed a statement that the endorsers of my 
note were good, I procured a team and went for my press and my hun- 
dred pounds of minion type. After resting a few days, I started for 
Milwaukee and intermediate points, to hunt up the balance of the type 



Ilistury of lieedsburg^ Wisconsin. Ill 

necessary to get out a paper. I walked to a point fourteen miles beyond 
Portage, forty-four miles from Reedsburg, the first day ; and the 
next morning -walked four miles further, to Cambria Station, and took 
the cars for I3eaver Dam, where I had ac(iuaintances. I went to the 
' Citizens ' office, and inquired of the proprietor if he had any second 
hand type for sale. lie said he had not, but after a few moments' 
thought, said there was an old disused office lying in town, and that 
George Stewart was agent for the sale of it. I went to Stewart, who 
at first refused to sell a part unless he could sell the Avhole, Avhicli in- 
cluded a power press ; but finally he acted upon my suggestion that he 
ask the advice of Mr. Wells of the ' Citizen.' This gentleman, upon 
being consulted as to what he would do with the material in (question if 
if he owned it, replied : ' Box it up and send it to the foundry for old 
type, as quick as I could.' This decided Mr. Stewart to sell, and he 
asked me what proposition I had to make. I told him I would give 
him fifty per cent of the type foundry price for every thing I selected, 
Avhich ]Mr. Wells told him was an exceedingly liberal offer. Then came 
the (question of pay, and I had a much harder time to convince Mr. 
Stewart of the safety of selling me two-hundred dollars worth of mate- 
rial than I had the Richland Center man. He was not convinced of 
the reponsibility of my securities, and one proposition after another was 
rejected, until finally I proposed to reinforce the note signed by myself 
and the two Reedsburg men, (one of whom was John Kellogg, whose 
unendorsed note would now be good for thousands of dollars) with a 
mortga"-e upon the materials purchased, and upon the press Avhich I had 
at home. This proposition was accepted, and I succeeded in selecting 
type, cases, sticks, rules, dashes, etc., to the amount of two hundred and 
twenty-five dollars, which I boxed up and shipped to Reedsburg, with- 
out further delay. Eight miles from from Beaver Dam, I had two broth- 
ers living, and one of them, Charles A. ChantUer, wlio was a mechanic, 
accompanied me home, to assist me in getting the office running. In the 
course of a month, on the 16th of June, 1800, I got out my first paper 
upon this condemned, second-hand type, which an excellent printer, 
Mr. CuUaton, had pronounced utterly unfit for use, and upon the fifty 
dollar press, which, when I bought it, was so utterly out of joint, that 
the seller had no idea that it could ever be used ; and so wel 1 did I use 
my knowledge of presses and type, that when it appeared, the paper 
was highly complimented by the 'State Press,' and the 'Sentinel,' in 
noticing it, went so far as to say 'printed from new type.' Upon the 
issue of the paper, I realized upon my subscription paper which I had 

14 



112 American Shetch Booh. 

previously circulated, one Imndrcd and sixty dollars, not availing myself 
of the arrangement with Mr. Daiiforth ; and as the number of cash pay- 
ing subscribers was very fair, I Avas at once able to li({uidate the indebt- 
edness, and put the paper, which I had christened the ' Free Press,' 
upon a paying basis. 

" I fulfilled my agreement with the citizens of Reedsburg, continuing 
the paper until the 7th of September, 1861, when the war being then 
in progress, the people of this community, like those of every other 
throughout the nation, were greatly exercised over the heavy taxation, 
expected to ensue, and could give no positive assurance of support, 
though they professed themselves satisfied with the paper, and would do 
what they could to support it. But Mr. Wells, of New Lisbon, having 
lost his press, through inability to pay for it, made me what I regarded 
a good offer, to move my press up there, which I did. I run the Ju- 
neau County ' Argus ' until the fall of 1862, when, tlie county having 
gone Democratic, and elected a county ticket in the interest of Mauston, 
thus depriving me of the county printing, I suspended publication, and 
in February following moved my family and printing material back to 
Reedsburg ; but I did not engage in publishing a paper, because of the 
unsettled and embittered state of public feeling. In the last days of 
that year, 1863, I entered the military service, where I remained until 
June, 1866 — more than a year after the close of the war. Upon ar- 
riving home I found that my press and material had been sold, to go to 
Mazomanie, and I therefore turned my attention to other pursuits." 

The next, and, so far, the last chapter in the newspaper history of 
Reedsburg, may be briefly stated as follows : Mr. Chandler had for five 
years been engaged in fiirming near Reedsburg, when the completion of 
the Chicago and Northwestern railroad to this point, gave a new impe- 
tus to business, and created a desire among the business men to have a 
newspaper once more. Accordingly Mr. Chandler, not being altogether 
satisfied with his experience as a tiller of the soil, concluded to gratify 
them by re-establishing the " Free Press," and, procuring type and press, 
on the 22nd of March, 1872, after a sleep of nearly eleven years, res- 
surrected that paper, commencing to number where he had left off in 
1861. The success of the enterprise was marked and immediate, and 
it enjoyed a good and increasing patronage, and the office now boasts of 
three presses, and a goodly amount of other material. The mechanical 
labor of the office is performed by Mr. Chandler's daughters, who are 
good printers. Mr. Chandler says he is a believer in woman's rights, 
for he has a calico foreman, two dimity compositors, and the sweetest 
little devil you ever saw. 



History of licedshurg^ Wisconsin. 113 

In the full of 1856, Recdsbnrg became the scene of a gold fever 
excitement, -which was none the less in intensity, from the fact that it 
was confined to a fcAv persons. A lieaver Dam banker, 1)y the name 
of Wells, found in a bush near the wayside, a short distance from his 
residence, a package of papers, tied with a bit of red tape. The pack- 
age contained a letter, purporting to have been written by a man named 
Burleigh, of Cleveland, Ohio, to one Burton of Cincinnati, — and a 
time-worn sheet of paper, bearing a draft of a certain piece of land. 
The letter stated that in consideration of many services which Mr. J?ur- 
ton had rendered the writer, when sick, the latter had deemed it right 
to put his friend in possession of a secret, known only to himself, and 
which might guarantee a fortune to both, should the two work in uni- 
son. The secret was this : Burleigh had been one of a band of rob- 
bers, that had infested the upper Mississippi, some sixteen years before. 
This band, fearing detection, had divided into four parties, each party 
taking a fourth of the treasures. The one to which Burleigh had be- 
longed appointed him one of a committee of four to bury their money, 
some $55,000, where it would be safe until the danger was over. The 
committee landed at the mouth of the Bad Ax river, and proceeded into 
the interior, by means of horses, until they struck the Baraboo river, 
where they found a suitable place to bury the treasure ; which they did, 
making an accurate drawing of the location, and marking the place, so 
that it would not be lost to them at any future time. The gold was 
confined in coffee sacks, and above these they had placed a charred 
stick, fastened to the sacks by a gold chain. The letter went on to say 
that the committee, on returning to the rendezvous of the robl)ers, found 
no one there, and they came to the conclusion that the band had been 
forced to separate. They then took passage to New Orleans, but, on 
the trip, two of the party died of yellow fever. At New Orleans, a 
third was taken sick. At this time, business called the other (Burleigh) 
to England, and ho departed, leaving his companion in a dangerous 
state. Burleigh remained abroad some fifteen years, at the end of which 
time, he determined to return and obtain the buried treasure. "While 
journeying with this intent, he was taken sick, and he was befriended 
by Burton, to whom he was now revealing the secret. He ended by 
telling Burton to meet him at such a time at Beaver Dam, from which 
place they would proceed to the point designated l)y the chart. 

It was quite evident to Mr. Wells' mind that the letter had been lost 
by Burton, while on the way to meet his friend ; and the banker's heart 
began to beat in eager anticipation of a great fortune waiting within 



114 Aynericari Sketch Booh. 

reach of his very hands. The Stevens House register confirmed his 
opinion that Burton had been in town, as such a person, hailing from 
Cincinnati, had registered there only a few days previous. Believing 
that he was in possession of a great secret, Mr. Wells sought legal 
counsel of Judge Wheeler, who, for a share of the booty, promised 
his assistance in obtaining the gold. Following the directions of the 
chart, the pair found that the spot indicated was in the village of Beeds- 
burg, on a lot owned by a poor man named L. Gay Sperry, who lived 
there in a small house which he had erected. The place was w^orth 
about three hundred dollars, but on asking the price put on it by the 
owner, Sperry informed Mr. Wells that he had been offered three thou- 
sand dollars for it by a Cincinnati man to whom he had promised it. 
This confirmed the suspicion that Burton had been looking up the treas- 
ure, and had lost the description which Mr. Wells had found. The 
banker grew desperate, and he immediately offered Sperry a hundred 
dollars higher for the place. Sperry, after some demur, accepted the 
offer, and a trade was made. Wells giving some property at Beaver 
Dam, and several hundred dollars in money for the one lot and small 
cabin. (The cabin is still in existence, and is situated near the Luth- 
eran church.) The Sperry s made instant preparations to move. They 
had suffered greatly because of the hard times, and on occasions, had 
been in actual Avant. If the denouement proves them guilty of a fraud 
in the mind of the reader, we plead extenuating circumstances in their 
behalf. While they were getting ready to leave the place, however, the 
impatient Mr. Wells was making preparations to dig for the treasure. 
He took into his confidence the present Hon. Sam. Burchard of Beaver 
Dam, and some others whose names we are unable to give; and on 
one starry night, at the click of twelve o'clock, our gold-hunters 
sallied forth, with their spades, and several bran-new coft'ee-sacks, to 
unearth the hidden treasure. They had taken the precaution to bring 
new sacks, thinking that the old ones would pvobably be in a decayed 
condition, and they did not want to run the risk of scattering the prec- 
ious gold over the ground while on their way to their night-quarters. 
Leaving the sacks at the gate, they went into the yard, where they 
readily found the exact spot, and the digging began. A light night- 
wind stirred the leaves of the trees as the spades touched the earth, 
and it brought weakness and terror to the hearts of the gold-hunters. 
" I've heard," whispered one of them, "that the devil always puts a 
charm on buried money, so as to make it impossible for those who did 
not bury it to obtain it." "He is a pretty smart fellow if he beats us 



History of Reechhurg, Wisconsin. 11 T) 

out of this haul, Sam," returned Mr. Wells, his teeth chattoriii^f >vith 
terror, -while he spoke. A minute later, the <li^'gcr struek the charred 
stick of which the letter had spoken. A paper bearing date of the 
period when the digging occurred, says that the banker upon seeing the 
stick, uttered an exclamation, and fainted away. He, however, soon 
came to, when his fear that jNIr. liurchard, who was digging, would get 
the first sight of the treasure, caused him to exclaim : " You come out 
of there, Sam, and let the Judge and me dig awhile." Burchard 
handed the banker the spade, and the latter continjiied the digging with 
hearty good will, and with an energy that would certainly have discour- 
aged Satan, had he been trying to prevent the finding of gold at that 

spot, as the superstitious affirm he does. " Be careful," cautioned the 
Judge, " not to strike the bags with the spades. You might scatter the 
gold and break the chain." A short time sufficed to convince the two 
who had the spades, that no treasure was there ; for they had struck a 
stratum of earth, nearly allied to stone. As the two paused from sheer 
despair, Sam is said to have leaned over the hole and asked : ''Judge, 
shall I bring the coffee- sacks now ?" The Judge's reply is not on record 
from the fact that it would not look well in print. So great was the rage 
and disappointment of the banker, that on his return to Beaver Dam, 
where Sperry was at that time, he managed with the aid of some friends, to 
get that individual shut up in a room, where a stormy interview ensued, 
which caused Sperry to tremble in his boots, through fear of the prob- 
able results of his deeply laid scheme. The latter was finally induced 
to return the greater part of the money that had been paid him, and 
take back his property. But he did not long continue to be a resident 
of Reedsburg, nor did he try further to dispose of his place, which he 
valued so little that he allowed it to be sold for taxes not long after his 
departure. So ended the Reedsburg gold-fever.* 

Both the Alba House and the Mansion House were built in 1856, the 

former by Alba B. Smith, and the latter by Dr. E. R. Mackey and D. 

C. Reed. The Mansion House site is on an Indian mound. An 

Indian legend says that two Indians once fought over slaying a bear, 
and killed each other. Their bodies were buried on this spot. It Avas 

probably a fact, as two skeletons were found upon digging for the foun- 

* It has been supposed that some Reedsburg men besides Judge Wheeler were 
mixed up in the gold-digging affair ; but a letter from the Judge, bearing date of 
June, 1875, denies this statement, and also denies that tlie .Judge Jiad anytliing to do 
witli the matter, except as legal counsel. The foregoing version of the story, the 
writer has taken in part from a Beaver Dam paper, jmblislied in January, IHf)?, and 
the remainder from the testimony of a gentleman wiio heard the incident from tlie 
banker himself, and who verities the statements as here given. — Ed. 



116 American Shetch Booh. 

elation of the hotel. The hotels were considered large and commodious 
at the time when they were built, but are not sufficiently so for the pres- 
ent period. The Alba House building has not been used as a hotel for 
several years. It was at one time kept by N. V. Chandler, now of the 
'' Free Press." The Mansion House was well-known for a long while 
under the management of W. H. Finch, now of Kilbourn City, who sold 
it in the spring of 1875, to Oscar E. Briggs, the present proprietor. 
This gentleman is the son of N. II. Briggs, who with his family settled 
at Narrows' Prairie in 1851. He is assisted in the business by his 
parents, and his brother William. The building has been re-furnished, 
and rendered as pleasant as possible for guests. The proprietor is an 
amiable person, and very attentive to business. He designs enlarging 
the house by an additional building, to be built and furnished in the 
most modern and approved styles. A good livery is attached. 

The Presbyterian Society was organized in 1857, with seven members, 
and Rev. Wm. Lusk as pastor. A church edifice costing $5,200 was 
completed by this society in 1872. Rev. D. S. White has the flock in 
charge at the present time. 

The first bank at Reedsburg wag opened in 1859, by parties from 
Portage, and was a branch of the Portage bank. G. Ege was presideat 
and H. M. Haskell cashier. This bank had an existence of some two 
years. It failed soon after the commencement of the war, being able to 
liquidate only some twenty per cent of its indebtedness. 

The Mackey Mills had the misfortune of being burned in the winter 
of 1861, and several thousand bushels of wheat were also lost in the 
conflagration. But the proprietors, with the perseverance which char- 
acterizes them, immediately began the erection of new mills at the 
points where the others had been. The grist mill is forty by sixty feet 
on the ground, three and a half stories high, and has four run of buhrs, 
two of which were put in when built, and the other two somewhat later, 
giving it a capacity for grinding from eight hundred to a thousand bush- 
els per day, or five hundred barrels of merchant work in a week, besidas 
the regular custom. The water power is capable of driving more than 
twice the amount of machinery that it now runs. The dam has been 
recently rebuilt, making one of the ])est water-powers on the Baraboo 
river, affording in all from one hundred and sixty to two hundred horse- 
powers. 

Reedsburg has really a noble war record. The facts which are pre- 
sented here are gleaned from Rev. S. A. Dwinnell's " Records of Reeds- 
burg in the War," from which we ascertain that the town furnished one 



History of lleed)<b'ii rg, Wiaca n i< in. 117 

Ijuudicd and forty persons, one hundred and cloven of wlumi enlifsted 
the first year, -when no bounty was given except that oflered by the 
United States; and four-fifths of those who enlisted later were too young 
for service when the first call Avas'niadc. The first company raised lierc 
was the Pioneer Rifles, in September, liSdl, by Giles Stevens, a lawyer 
of this village. Forty persons from this town enlisted in it, and the 
remainder of the company was filled out by nei^ldjoriug towns. Giles 
Stevens was chosen Captain; \\. F. Blaeknian, First Lieutenant, and J. 
W. Lusk, Secoiul Lieutenant. The latter was ])i'omotcd afterwards to 
First Lieutenant, and Sergeant Couglnnan to Second Lieutenant. The 
company formed a part of the Twelfth AVisconsin Infantry ; and was in 
the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Jackson and Atlanta, and was 
with Sherman in his "grand march to the sea," besides bciny; in several 
skirmishes. At Atlanta, Captain Stevens was wounded. The follow- 
ing persons of the Pioneer Rifles belonging to Reedsburg, were killed : 
Sergeant F. W. Henry and Charels Reifenratli. Sergeant S. S. Miles 
died of wounds, and J. W. Dickens and Clias. T. Pollock died of disease. 

A second company was recruited by R. INI. Strong, in December, 
18G1, under the name of the Lidepcndent Rangers. Fifty- eight of its 
members belonged to this town. R. M. Strong became its Captain; 
Henry A. Tator, First Lieutenant, and Alex. P. Ellinwood, Second 
Lieutenant. It was allotted to the ^Nineteenth Regiment as Company 
A. This regiment performed considerable garrison duty, perhaps more 
than any other of the state troops. It suffered terribly at Yorktown 
from sickness, induced by miasmatic atmosphere. Company A Avas at 
the battles of Drury Bluff and Fair Oaks. At the latter, R. M. Strong, 
then Lientenant Colonel, was wounded so that one of his legs had to be 
amputated. It was done at Libby Prison. The Nineteenth Avas the 
first to enter Richmond, April 3d, 18(35, and its flag the first to float over 
the rebel capitol. The promoted of Company A were: Captain Strong 
to Lieutenant Colonel ; Lieutenant Tator to Captain ; Lieutenant Ellin- 
Avood to Captain ; and Sergeant C. A. Chandler to Second Lieutenant. 

The folloAving of Company A Avere killed in action : Dexter Green 
and B. S. Pitts. Those Avho died of Avounds Avere : Corporal Alvah 
Rathbun, Charles Day, Ephiram Homes and William Miller. Sergeant 
A. P. Steese, D. c! Cole, Hugh Collins, John Gary, AV. D. Hobby, 
William Horsch, James Markec and N. W. Pitts dit'd of disease. 

Some ot the Reedsburg soldiers enlisted in other regiments than those 
named. We notice that the following of such lost their lives : G. C. 
Miles of the Sixth W^isconsin ; George W. Root of tlie Seventh Wis- 



118 Aniericaii Sketch Booh 

consin ; Amariah llobotham of the Eleventh Wisconsin ; Erastus Miller, 
J. W. Shaw and John Waltz of the Twenty-third Wisconsin ; and John 
Mcllvaine of the Forty-ninth Wisconsin. The First Wisconsin Cavalry 
had E. B. Knowles among its dead. TheEecdsburg dcadof the Third 
Cavalry are, Henry Barlow and George W. Priest. John Collins, 
another of the Reedsburg dead, belonged to the First Missouri Battery. 

Of the Reedsburg soldiers, who returned to their homes at the close 
of the war, the following are residing at present in or near this village : 
Twelfth Wisconsin Regiment — Captain Giles Stevens, Charles W. Bu- 
low, Philo Lane, Lieutenant J. W. Lusk, Morris B. Seeley, Edward 
Bulow, James Miles ; Nineteenth Wisconsin Regiment — Lieutenant 
Alexander P. Ellinwood, Sergeant J. W. Fosnot, O. H. Dwinnell, J. 
C. Fosnot, W. W. Holton, Sergeant E. A. Dwinnell, James Castle, 
Peter Empser, T. J. Holton, E L. Leonard, Frank Winchester, Chas. 
F. Sheldon ; Thirty-fifth Regiment — A. F. Leonard ; Forty-first Regi- 
ment — Zalman Carver ; Forty-ninth Regiment — Oscar E. Briggs ; 
Fourth Battery — 0. E. Root ; First Battery, Wisconsin Light Artilery 
— Lieutenant William Miles, George H. Flautt; Twelfth Illinois Reg- 
iment — H. C. Hunt; Fifty-first Ohio Regiment — Dr. Selden, surgeon. 

Shortly after the election of President Lincoln, and while disposition 
of offices in his gift was pending, the people living within the radius of 
delivery of the Reedsburg post-office, and who had voted for the suc- 
cessful candidate, determined to hold an election to indicate their choice 
of a man to receive the appointment of post-master. Accordingly, an 
election was called and the people assembled on the appointed day. In- 
stead of the usual inspectors of election, a chairman and secretary were 
appointed, Avhose duty it was to see that everything was done in order. 
The person appointed as chairman was an illiterate but well-meaning 

ohl gentleman, known as Elder G , who conducted the meeting to 

the best of his knowledge. ^There was in the county, at that time, an 
original abolitionist, whose name was Elias Taylor, and he was one of 
two or three in the town who had, at a previous election, voted for 
Gcrrett Smith, the abolitionist candidate. This person stepped up to 
tlie polls and offered his vote, whereupon Ilarvey Haskell, the bank 
cashier, and an iuflucntial Republican, said: "I should like to know 
whether Lincoln men or Garrett Smith men are voting at this election." 
"Do you put that as a motion, Mr. Haskell?" asked the chairman. 
Ilarvey, who saAv a chance for a bit of humor in the proceedings, an- 
swered in the affirmative. The chairman called for a second, which, 
notwithstanding the absurbity of the whole thing, was duly given. 



History of lieedsburg^ Wisconsin. Ill) 

Slowly elevating his ponderous form above tlic crowd, Elder (j , in 

stentorian tones, put the following luminous (question: " Moved and 
seconded as whether Liidcling men or Garct Smith men are voting at 
this yere 'lection. All in favor of the motion signify it by saying aye." 
The voters, catching the humor of the proceeding, shouted "Aye!" 
''All opposed say no I " and the silence remainecf unbroken, except by 
the suppressed laughter of the crowd. "Carried!" announced the 
chairman, and turning to the would-be voter, he said : "Mr. Taylor, 
they say you can't vote at this election." 

February 1st, 18G8, Joseph Mackey, D. B. lludd, E. 0. Rudd, and 
lion. J. W. Lusk engaged in banking, under the firm name of Mackey, 
Ivudd & Co., J. W. Lusk acting as cashier. The lludd brothers with- 
drew at the end of the year, and two years later Mr. Lusk also withdrew, 
since which time Mr. Mackey has continued the business alone, under 
the name of the Keedsburg Bank. This bank has gradually increaseil 
in business, keeping pace with the prosperity andgrowth of the adjacent 
country. As evidence of its financial soundness, and its prudent and 
careful management, wo will mention the fact that its credit, during the 
severe financial panic of 1873, which closed nearly all of the national 
banks, was unimpared, it keeping open doors and meeting all out-stand- 
ing claims as fast as presented. The lleedsburg bank is in the basement 
of Mr, Mackey's fine residence on Main street. 

The 2;rcat need of a railroad had Ions; been felt. The richness of the 
Baraljoo valley was building up villages elsewhere, because there were 
no good means of transportation at home. Strong encouragements had 
been given from iNIilwaukee, which only ended in disappointments when 
the ]\[ilwaukee and St. Paul Railroad chose a route further north. At 
an early day, Col. S. V. R. Ableman settled at the "Narrows," think- 
ing that it was a point near which a road must some day pass. He was 
more than disappointed at the decision of the ^Milwaukee and St. Paul 
road, and thenceforth looked to Chicago as a point from Avhich the road 
must eventually emanate. In this belief he never lost faith. His ready 
pen often called the attention of capitalists to this route. Stirring ap- 
peals were made during the fall of 1860 and the winter of 18(]0-70 to 
the people of the Baraboo Valley, through the Baraboo "Republic," 
which resulted in a meeting favorable to the project in December, 18(50, 
at the court-house. So earnest were the people, that in spite of the in- 
clement weather then prevailing, the court-room was filled to ovcrfloAv- 
ing. Col. Ableman was elected chairman of the meeting, without a 
dissenting voice, and on taking the chair he made an able speech, show- 

15 



120 Amerlcafi Sketch Booh. 

ing the necessity and feasibility of having a railroad through the valley^ 
claiming that if the people put themselves in a proper position, they 
might lasso the first locomotive that turned westward from Chicago. 
The peo})le were so well convinced, that Colonel Ableman, T. Thomas, 
Colonel, Strong, T. D. Lang and Joseph Mackey were appointed a com- 
mittee to see to the drafting and^btaining of a charter. The Colonel 
was made chairman of the committee ; and soon after this he called a 
meeting of said committee at his own residence, since known as the 
Charter House, where the charter was drafted for the Baraboo Air Line 
Hailroad. This was sanctioned by legislature INIarch 8th, 1870. The 
charter officers of the road were S. V. R. Ableman, Jonas Naracong, 
John B. Dwinnell, C. D. Huff, John F. Smith, Joseph F. Sanford, 
Joseph Mackey, Moses Young, Charles H. Williams, Terrell Thomas, 
T. D. Lang, li. M. Strong and B. F. Mills. The Baraboo Air Line 
Railroad was finally consolidated with the Chicago and Northwestern 
Railroad, and passed into the control of that company, who made it a 
part of the Madison Division of their great line. They have erected a 
good depot and other railroad buildings at this point. E. F. Seaver is 
the agent in charge. The other men employed here by the company 
are R. E. Kahl, telegraph operator ; H. P. Person, warehouse man and 
engineer of steam pump ; John C. Lightman, section foreman, and H. 
Auedbier, Henry Krug, Fritz Shroeder, Warren Morehouse and War- 
ren McDougal, trackmen. 

The Madison Division of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, 
which passes through Reedsburg, is noted for the grandeur of the scen- 
ery that greets the vision of the travelers. A few miles to the south- 
east of the village are the "Narrows," the residence of Col. Ableman, 
for a counterpart of which one must look among the Rocky Mountains. 
The railroad winds along the river bottom, with the beautiful Baraboo 
River, which it crosses and re crosses, making a graceful curve between 
the parts of what appears to have been a line of high bluffs, or minia- 
ture mountains, parted in the center by some great convulsion of nature, 
the inner sides rising almost perpendicularly in ragged, rocky walls, to 
the height of tAvo hundred feet or more. The rock is mostly quartz, of 
all colors intermingled, the waxen-white chalcedony and rose ({uariz 
being abundant. There are minute caves to be seen, and on the ledges, 
Avhere a deposite of earth has been made, are trees and bushes of vari- 
ous kinds, lending additional beauty to the landscape. Looking down 
the precipices from the bluff-tops, the grandeur increases. Far below 
ripples the river, into which Narrows Creek empties, giving the water a 



Ilisiory of Hcedslnirg^ Wisconsin. 121 

broader and deeper voluiuc. The rocks gro^v larger and more varied 
on a nearer view; the railroad track becomes only a thread, and the 
train of cars seems to be a mere toy. 

Q'hc German Lutherans purchased an entire block near the park, and 
erected a church in 1871. The church is large, and the steeple is 
eighty feet high, having a bell weighing fifteen hundred pounds, llev. 
August Rorhlack lias had the su])ervision of the parisli since itsfouiidii- 
tion in 18G0. 

THE WEST SIDE. 

A portion of what is noAV known as the West side, was a quarter- 
section formerly entered by Alfred Mott, of New York. The land was 
a wilderness of matted burr-oak timber, and the part of it which bor- 
dered the Baraboo river was annually overflowed, thus forming a habi- 
tation for numberless frogs. Alfred Mott also entered a quarter section 
of land on the east side, a part of which was afterward laid out into 
lots, and called Mott's First Addition to the village of Xieedsburg. 
Subsequently the land on the west side became known as Mott's Second 
Addition to Eeedsburg, but it was considered to be of little or no value. 
A. P. Ellinwood bought two acres of the west side addition in 1871, 
and the people immediately dubbed the place "Ellinwood's frog-pond." 
But Mr. Ellinwood set to work at grubbing and draining it, and soon 
had a very presentable piece of land. About this time an unfortunate 
fiiniily Avas thrown upon the town for support, and to ^Ir. Ellinwood, as 
chairman of the board, fell the task of finding a home for its members. 
But though several houses were wanting tenants, no person Avas willing 
to let his property be the home of the family just mentioned ; and half 
in indignation and half in mercy, Mr. Ellinwood erected a house on his 
land for their accommodation. This, which was known as the "town 
house," Avas the first building on the west side. Mr. Ellinwood has 
added to his possessions until he now OAvns some two hundred acres of 
land and water (especially water). He built a fine residence in 1872, 
and the next year made preparations to have a driving-park on the same 
land. People began to look on him as really demented, and expressed 
their opinion that he ought to have a guardian appointed. When they 
saw him going that Avay with a pick or an ax, they Avould ask if he was 
going to cripple a mullen. But he cut out the thicket, drained and 
graded the land, and in due time the driving.park was completed. Then 
it had a fence eight feet high put on the two sides not bordered by the 
river, and Reedsburg was in possession of a fair ground, where, in 1874, 
was held one of the most successful fairs ever known in this part of the 



122 American Sketch Booh. 

country ; whereof Mr. Ellinwood was president, several vice-presi- 
dents, secretary, treasurer and all the rest of the officers. Over five 
thousand people attended the fair. In 1875, Mr. Ellinwood resolved 
to celebrate the fourth of July in the same manner. He engaged three 
noted speakers and made the other arrangements without any aid what- 
ever ; and like all his undertakings, the celebration proved a grand suc- 
cess. Mr. Ellinwood has laid the west side out into village lots, and is 
selling to all good people that want to buy whether they have money or 
not. He intends to have a village on that side of the river, he says ; 
and judging from his success in other undertakings, Ave think he will 
surely make one there in time. Several fine residences already dot the 
former brush-heap and frog-pond. 

J. P. Stafibrd built a stave manufactory on the west side in 1874 ; 
and shortly after it was gotten into running order, W. I. Carver be- 
came a partner. This mill employs eleven hands. Last year, it cut 
out 800,000 staves, and this year, has on hand a job of 1,000,000. 
Mr. Saiford also has a stave factory at La Valle. A. D. Bellinger, son 
of G. Bellinger, is foreman of the stave factory. 

REEDSBURG AND HOPS. 

Reedsburg is the great Center of the hop interest of Wisconsin, and 
in fact of the entire West. In the year 1852, Mr. Jesse Cottington, 
living three miles north of Reedsburg, had sent to him from near Water- 
ville, Oneida county. New York, one-half acre of hop roots. Mr. Cot- 
tington, Avho is a native of England, Avas raised among tlie famous Kent 
hop gardens near London, emigrated to this country, and located near 
Waterville, New York, cultivating for seven years, the hop firm of Mr. 
Palmer, now known as the propagator of the new variety, called tlie 
Palmer seedling. When Mr. Cottington came West, he came as an 
experienced and successful hop groAver ; but it must not be forgotten 
that this occurred long before the age of railroads in Wisconsin. Mr. 
Cottington had his half acre of roots shipped to him by Avay of Milwau- 
kee, and Avith his OAvn team (there being then no other means of com- 
munication) drove the one hundred and twenty miles, and got the roots, 
set them out in spring of 1852, and picked his first crop in 1853. Mr. 
Cottington experienced great difficulty in marketing his hops; althougli, 
he says the soil on his farm, near Reedsburg, is better adapted to the 
groAvth of liops, and that he has groAvn a choicer quality than he ever 
grcAV either in England or Ncav York state. Yet, the quality and 
Avorth of a hop is so difficult to judge of by a brcAver, that he is very 
uriAvilling to chantrc from a dealer Avho has been furnishino; him Avith a 



History of Reedshurcj^ Wisconsin. 123 

hop that has answered his purpose, to a new deak'r, who lias an untried 
hop to ofter. Mr. Cottington found a market for his hops only by giv- 
ing a guarantee to a brewer at Madison, and one at Portage, that bis 
hops were all right — eciual in quality in all respects, to a New York 
hop ; and that ho would pay any damage arising from using them. For 
first fifteen years of growing, he made contracts at a fixed price iit 
twenty cents per pound — contracts good for five years. 

These are some of the difficulties with which the early hop growers, 
in and around Reedsburg, had to contend. It Avas, however, quickly 
perceived by the neighbors of Mr. Cottington, that he Avas getting 
along better than they, and the reason was easily seen to be due to the 
cultivation of hops. It was in this way that his neighbors commenced 
planting yards, until, from this one-half acre as a center, the cultivation 
of the hop spread till the great crop of 1867 netted the growers, prop- 
erl}% belonging to Reedsburg as a center, not far from two millions of 
dollars. Owing to the destruction of the crop in the state of New 
York, by the hop louse {Aphides), in years 1865, 1866 and 1867, the 
cultivation of the hop in and around Reedsburg became a perfect mania. 
All other britnches of agriculture were entirely neglected, owing to the 
very high price of hops, caused by failure of crop in New York state 
for a series of years. It was no uncommon thing in 1866 or 1867, for 
a person, Avithout capital, to purchase a farm for three or four thousand 
dollars, having four or five acres of hops on it, and from one year's 
crop, pay up for the farm, and have a thousand dollars surplus. The 
result of this state of affairs, was that during years 1865, 1866 and 
1867, the expenses of living in Reedsburg Avere greater than in Mil- 
waukee or Chicago. Common garden vegetables, butter and provisions 
generally, having to be carted into the place against the natural laws 
of trade. The result of the unnatural state of affairs Avas a grand 
financial crash, Avhich in 1868, made bankrupt or severely crippled 
every merchant in Reedsburg, Avith the single exception of Samuel 
Ramsey, druggist, and J. Y. Kelsey, merchant. The crash also affected 
so severely the hop groAvers around Reedsburg, that fully one-half 
lost their farms, either by foreclosure of mortgages, or by being so in- 
volved that they had to sell in order to pay up indebtedness. The 
financial crash Avas brought about by Avant of due caution and foresight 
upon tlie part of hop groAVcrs and merchants. Owing to destruction 
of hop crop in Ncav York state by the louse {Aphides), in years 1865, 
1866 and 1867, prices of hops ranged, during those three years, at 
Reedsburg, from forty-five to sixty cents per pound, attaining latter 



124 American Sketch Boole. 

figure in 1867. These almost fabulous prices for tliree consecutive 
years, deprived the growers, and also merchants, with some rare ex- 
ceptions, of their mother wit, and they vainly imagined these prices to 
be natural, caused by law of supply and demand, and therefore likely 
to be permanent; hence they adopted the tactics of the gambler — we 
speak of the growers, and invested proceeds of each crop in growing 
a larger one the following year, and thus they proceeded f )r three years, 
and with success, due to the anomalous condition of crop in the East, 
till in 1867, prices reached the almost flibulous figure of sixty cents 
per pound. Many fiirmers in and around Reedsburg, that year, real- 
ized net profits of $3,000 to |4,000 from their crop, and it was a com- 
mon occurrence to see a farmer come into a store and throw down a 
thousand dollar bill asking for change with about the same non 
chalance, as in ordinary times, is done with a ten dollar bill. Five 
hundred dollar bills were as plenty as grasshoppers are now further 
Avcst in Missouri and Kansas, and a hop grower was poor indeed, if he 
could not, at a moment's notice, produce three or four or five hundred 
dollars. Any man's credit was undoubted at the different stores, if 
the merchant could be satisfied he was the owner of two or three acres 
of hops. Thus it was when, in 1867, two million dollars, all in green- 
backs, were scattered in and around Reedsburg. 

Everything was very lovely, and the anticipations of the people run 
very high. Nice houses were planned, fine carriages bought, and a 
hundred magnificent " castles in the air " arose in the imao;inations of 
the people. It appeared the almost universal desire of the growers to 
have one more crop, make their fortunes and retire. To do this, the 
greater portions of the gains of the two or three previous years were 
invested in extending acreage, and preparing for the crop of 1868. 
Fifty cents was the coveted price, and any one that even intimated that 
h^wer prices might prevail, was not tolerated for a moment. Some of 
tlie hop dealers of Reedsburg visited New York and other Eastern 
cities, in July, 1868, and after a careful review of the situation, on 
their return, advised caution on the part of merchants and growers, but 
so completely had "the wish become fiither to the thought," that the 
insane belief in permanent high prices had so bewitched the minds of 
the people, that they would listen to no advice or word of caution, but 
at once raised a clamor that said hop dealers were in league with out- 
side purchasers and brewers, to keep them out of the market for purpose 
of forcing prices down, and themselves receiving a commission. This 
notion had so taken possession of the minds of the people, that at Lo- 



IIii<to7'y of liecdshiirg, Wisconsin. 125 

gaiisville, seven miles south of Kcetlsbur";, indignation meetings were 
held, and it was currently reported in Keedsburg, that said dealers who 
had given an opinion that hops might that year go as low as twenty 
cents per pound, if they put in apjiearance at Logansville, would get tlie 
kindly attentions of a mob. 

It is now known Wisconsin grew about 100,000 bales of hojis in 
1868, and for which she realized on an average not to exceed four and 
one half to five cents per pound. It is safe to say that Sauk County 
Wisconsin, lost on that crop between two and three millions of dollars ; 
many estimate it in all its ramifications at a nmch higher figure. Reeds- 
burg and surrounding country tributary to it, from having jirevious 
years occupied the very topmost pinnacle of success and prosperity, was 
at once precipitated into the midnight darkness of financial distress and 
bankruptcy. From this point dates the permanent prosperity of Reeds- 
burg as a village. Gold is refined in the fire ; success can be won in 
adversity ; wise men profit by experience, and men of pluck will not be 
discouraged by the mishaps of business, when they plainly sec such mis- 
haps were brought about by their want of management and foresight, 
and just here is the explanation of the fact that Rcedsburg has a repu- 
tation for dash, and go-ahead, and thrift, and amount of business done 
according to population, not equalled by any town on line of Chicago 
and Northwestern railroad between St. Paul and Chicago. The 
financial crash of 1868 separated the people into two classes. The first 
determined to hunt for their money where they lost it ; the second, dis- 
couraged, left to seek their fortunes elsewhere. It was the separation 
of the pure gold from the dross. The peoj)le around Rcedsburg con- 
tinued to grow hops and are now out of debt, and many have grown rich 
at it. Previous to the Chicago and Northwestern railroad extending 
their INIadison Branch by the way of the Baraboo River through Reeds • 
burg, shipments of hops grown arourul that hop center, were scut to 
market from Kilbourn City, a station on the Chicago and ^Milwaukee rail- 
road, giving it an importance as a shipping point for hops, which it 
never would have attained, had Rcedsburg as early as 1865 had its 
present railroad facilities. Rcedsburg, owing to the number of her hop 
dealers, their dash and enterprise, their self-reliance, gained by turning 
the financial kicks and cuffs of 1868-1* to good account, added to their 
large capital for a western village, laid aside by their thrift, have enablcil 
them to go direct to brewers, and a large and profitable trade has sprung 
up with brewers in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan and 
Wisconsin, beside a large trade with dealers in all the principal cities in 



120 American Sketch Booh. 

the United States, including New York, Baltimore, riiiladclpliia, Pitts- 
burg, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Paul, and very heavy trade with dealers in 
Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee. At least fifty to sev- 
enty-five bales have been exported direct to London, of crop of 1874, 
by Messrs. Samuel Lievesly and W. I. Carver. 

The history of hop culture in and about Recdsburg Avouldnot be com- 
plete, for this interest over-tops all others, without mentioning a new 
feature that has been developing for the past few years, and is likely to 
assume great importance in the future. The variety of hop groAvn 
around Reedsburg is the English Cluster, the same as is grown in 
Waterville, Oneida County, N. Y., because, as has previously been stated, 
cuttings were brought from that locality. This variety does not ripen and 
is not ready to pick until about September 1st, or at the very earliest", 
the last two or three days of August. To propagate a new variety of 
hop, is a most difficult matter, on the account of the necessity of com- 
bining so many different qualities. A new variety has accidently pre- 
sented itself at Reedsburg, named by Samuel Ramsey, a hop dealer, the 
Humphrey Seedling, in honor of Mrs. Humphry, who brought it to 
Reedsburg. Mrs. Humphrey came to her present farm some twenty- 
six years ago, and planted the seed in Walworth County, Wisconsin, 
from which this new variety sprung. On coming to Reedsburg, she 
brought a root with her, and planted it by her door, and used the hops 
for domestic purposes for fifteen years, not knowing the difference from 
common kind, excepting the fact of its being from ten days to two 
weeks earlier. This new variety combines in itself, all the elements of 
a very choice hop, besides being as ready to pick 20th of August, as 
common kind is 1st of September. The vine is hardy, a vigorous grower, 
arming out from top to bottom, has not been as subject to depredations 
of insects as common variety. The hop itself is small, of very fine 
and silky texture, in compact clusters, slightly Bavarian in flavor, aro- 
ma existing somewhat in other parts of hop than in lupuline, similar to 
Bavarian — strength exceedingly good and flavor very fine. The crop 
of 1875, of this variety will probably reach one hundred and fifty bales, 
and in 1876, Avill amount to fully five hundred bales, all of Avhich will 
find a market in Reedsburg from 20th to 25th of August. This va- 
riety sold at fifty-eight cents per pound in 1872 ; in 1873 at fifty cents 
per pound, and in 1874, the crop amounted to sixty to seventy-five 
bales, which chiefly sold at forty cents. They are much sought after, 
and give satisfaction above common kind to dealer and brewer. 

The following is amount of purchases on own account and on com- 



History of Ilted-'ihnrij, Wisconsin 12 7 

mission by the diftcrent liop dealers in Kccdsburg for crop 1874, com- 
mencing with Ilunii.hrcy ;r>ec<lliiiirs, iilH)iit 20th August, 1S74, up to 
1st eTune, 1875, as kindly tarnished by the several dealers : 

IJALl^. AMOUNT PAID. 

Samuel Ramsey, - . . . 1,;327 $80,085.88 

Young. & Maekey, . . . . 1,074 75,000.00 

Kellogg k Harris, - - - - 1,008 74,020.01 

J. D. Mackey & Co., - - - - 1,014 07,580.01 

J. W. Gale, 950 70,000.00 

W. I. Carver, 100 7,820.55 

Shipped direct to London, ... 50 8,250.00 

All others, 500 30,000.00 



Total, 0,248 §414,372.05 

Of the above, Messrs. Kellogg k Harris, J. D. Mackey & Co., and 
W. I. Carver, bought all their purchases on own account ; and J. W, 
Gale bought seven hundred and fifty bales on commission, and two hun- 
dred on own account ; Mackey & Young bought one hundred and forty- 
five bales on commission and nine hundred and twenty-nine on own 
account, and Samuel Ramsey bought six hundred bales on commission, 
and seven hundred and twenty-seven bales on own account. 

Besides the business men and old settlers that have already been 
mentioned in connection with the history of Reedsburg, there have been 
several others whom lack of space and insufficient knowledge prevent 
our mentioning. Of the parties doing business here, at the present 
time, we shall make a special notice of a few of the more prominent 
ones. We have already s})oken of several of the older firms, and 
no repetition is necessary. Their standing may be readily inferred by 
what has already been said. 

Henry Geilert is a partner of three large business houses. Hag- 
euahs & Geffert are extensive dealers in liardware. The firm has been 
in existence four years. The Ilageiiah brothers, J. H. and P., have 
been residents of Reedsburg for some eight years. Henry Geffert 
bou'dit an interest in the establishment a year since, from S. F. Smith, 
a former owner. Henry Geffert owns, inde})endent of the two other 
establishments in which he is interested, a large store well stocketl with 
n-eneral merchandise, which has been established seven years. The 
other firm, of which we have s[)<)ken, is that of Kreutzman & Geffert, 
furniture manufacturers, established about a year since. All three are 
number one business houses. Henry Kreutznian has been in the vil- 
lage some seven years. 



16 



128 American Sketch Book. 

J. W. Lusk, attorney at law, and present Judge of Probate, has been 
in Rcedsbiirg since 1857. He was for several years a partner with 
Joseph Mackey. J. W. Lusk is a son of Rev. William Lusk, whom 
we have already mentioned in connection Avith the Presbyterian church. 
The latter has retired from his labors, but still resides in the village. 

Hansen, Gale & Co., a firm that deals largely in hardware, farming 
tools and hops, was established three years ago last November. It is 
represented by J. W. Gale, the only partner Avho resides in the village. 

Dr. N. W. Sallade has a large drug store on Main street, established 
in 1868. He is a practicing physician who settled at Narrows Prairie 
in 1850. In 1801:, he moved to the village and opened in the mercan- 
tile business, wliich he continued four years. 

George Selden is a physician and surgeon, whose residence here bears 
a later date. He is a native of Scotland. He was army surgeon of 
the Fifty-first Ohio Regiment during the war of the rebellion. His 
office is on Main street. 

S. J. Dearholt is engaged in a general merchandise business on Main 
street, Avhicli he established four years since. His father, John Dear- 
holt, and family, settled in the county in 1855. 

P. Bishop has a boot and shoe store, near S. J. Dearholt's. It was 
established some eight years ago. 

T. M. Beeson, jeAveler, settled in Rcedsburg in 1873. His store is 
also on Main street. 

Barker & Scliroeder, (E. F. Barker and Fred. Shroeder) furniture 
manufacturers and dealers in upholstery, started into business on Main 
street in 1872. 

' William Stolte has a large mercantile cstal)lishment in the lower story 
of the former Alba House. He started the business in 1801-. D. 
Schweke, Avho died in 1808, was a partner with Mr. Stolte. A, I'obst 
late of Baraboo, is now connected with Mr. Stolte. The firm nuine is 
Stolte & Co. They carry a full line of clothing. 

John R. Flint opened a drug store on Main street in 1871, which he 
still carries on. 

E. W. Gilmorc, dentist, located here in 1872. His rooms arc above 
Kellogg's store. 

II. J. Smith has an extensive lum])er yard near the depot, Avhich he 
has been operating three years. He has l)een a resident of the village 
since 1857. 

There are tAvo photographers in the village. D. R. Kellogg, who 
came to Reedsburg in 1857, and consequently is the first resident pho- 



History of licedshiir (J ^ Wisconsin. 120 

tograplier ever located lieve ; aiul A. l>i)(']iiii, who scttlcil here lust 
October. 

Dierks & Ilackett, carpenters :uiil Idiilders, are about jJiittiiiL; up a 
sash, door and blind factory in Keedsburg. Mrs. M. .1. ilackett car- 
ries on the millinery and dress making business. 

J. ]M. Parker and dames Lake are contractors and builders as well 
as old settlers. The foriuei- has been here fourteen years, anil the latter 
about twenty years. 

Thomas Gilluly, physician and surgeon, has been a resident of the 
village seven years. 

J. B. Clark and family, who own a good firm and a finc^ residence 
on the Avest side, settled in Heedsbur<i|; in 1S58. Mrs. Clark is a dau<'h- 
ter of Daniel Carver, now deceased. 

Barnard Daly is a blacksmith, who located here in 1857. 
Henry Beusheusen, blacksmith and wagon manufacturer, Main street, 
has had seven years residence here. William B;irstow, another black- 
smith and Avagon maker, whose shop is on Vine street, came eight 
years since. 

Hunt & Nay arc the meat market men. Mr. Hunt is one of the (dd 
settlers. Oscar T. Nay is a new partner in the business. 

D. D. Russell came to Reccbburg in 18GC>, and oi)ened in the boot 
and shoe business, which he still continues. 

G. AV. Chipman, painter, has been located here four years. 
W. A. Pixley, jeweler, opened in that business here in 18()0. lie 
was the first jeweler in town. 

The drayman, John Petty es, has been here since 1858. 
Not for from the village, Charles Reed, son of D. C. Reed, has set- 
tled himself and begun the raising of trout. Next year he intends to 
erect a dining hall on his grounds, which cannot fiil to make them a 
fivorite place of resort. 

For other business firms, we refer the reader to the index. 
We commenced the history of Rccdsburg with a war in Avhich nobody 
Avas hurt, and avo may as Avell end it Avith another. In 187o, Avhen the 
government ordered the removal of the Winnebago Indians, the sym- 
pathies of the people Avere Avith Ar-ti-cho-kcr and family, the former, a 
chief Avho has seen the village groAV up from the first hut. He Avished 
to stay here, and the people resolved t(j let him do so. lie Avas taken 
from the United States officers by a Avrit oi' Jiabeas corpus, enforced by a 
Avarlike spirit, and overwhelming nund)ers. A gap Avas made in the line 
of soldiers, and sixteen of the Indians escaped thereby, though the Avrit 



iSO American Sketch Jjooh. 

called for only nine. Ar-ti-clio-kcr may be seen almost any day prom- 
enading the streets of lleedsburg. lie is neither handsome nor very 
intelligent, but we suppose he must be good, or the people would not 
have exhibited such an affection for him. lie owns some land near 
the village. 

REEDSBURG IN 1873. 

Reedsburg at present is a thrifty village of some fifteen hundred in- 
habitants. It is pleasantly situated in a valley, and surrounded by the 
best of farming lands. It is the livest place of its size to be found in a 
radius of a hundred miles. The push, enterprise and business tact of 
its citizens are proverbial themes all through this portion of the state. 
It is just the place for enterprising men in search of new locations, as 
it is the centre of the great hop-district, and is abundantly supplied 
with hard-wood timber, iron, etc. A fine water privilege is waiting the 
enterprise of some new-comer to put it to use. It is a desirable place for 
manufactories requiring wood and iron, more especially those of agricul- 
tural machinery, as pig-iron suitable for hollow ware, stoves and cast- 
ings is to be had in large quantities in the immediate vicinity, as also is 
hard- wood timber. It is a good poi nt for a starch factory, as the coun- 
try adjacent is very productive, especially the southwest and north 
portions of the town. It is claimed, and we think, too, without a shadow 
of doubt, that a larger amount of agricultural produce is shipped from 
this village than from any other place of the size between Madison and 
the Mississippi River. The shipment of potatoes alone, last season was 
100,000 bushels. There are few, if any, better points for a woolen 
manufactory, and there is a disposition on the part of the people to 
have and encourage such an institution. 

The town has many different varieties of soil, and almost every (|uar- 
ter section has running water on it. It is watered by the Baraboo 
river. Hay Creek, Babb's Creek and Copper Creek. The land, includ- 
ing nearly all of the bluff land, is all available for agricultural purposes. 
Springs abound, — in fact, the streams are generally supplied by living 
springs, and the Avater is clear and cold. Some of the springs furnish 
water strongly impregnated with iron and sulphur ; and there is no 
doubt that time will develop a famous watering place at this point when 
tlie enterprise of the citizens shall have taken the matter in hand. 
Nature has done much for this beautiful valley, and the march of civil- 
ization has placed the proper class of people here to make the best of 
them. The future of Reedsburg is assured as a most prosperous and 
happy one. 



Q__ 1 .1 . r T) 



^{eetVbui'i^^ ^biv^ii|e>sV h\do\ of l§('[^. 



COUNTY OFF re EllS RESIDING AT RKEDSBURO. 
J. W. LusK, Judge of Probate. A. West, Coroner, 

A. P. Ellinwood, Chairman Board of Supervisors. 
VI L LA G !■: OFFICERS. 
J3. A Bauniiart, President. R. A. AViieeleii, Police Justice. 



W. A. Wyse, Justice of the Peace. 

James Miles, Constable. 

,1, , W. I. Carver, Supervisor. 

Irustces. a t tt h . tm ^ 

A. L. Harris, Post Master. 

C. F. Sheldon, Deputy P. M. 



Peter Dangle, 
Wm. II aw ley, 
Tiios. Inoalls, 
Wm. Brockel, 
Ed. Leonard, 
Wm. Stolte, 

BANKS. 
Bank of Reedsburg, J. Mackey, President, Geo. T. Morse, Cashier. 

A TTORNEYS A T LA W. 
J. W. Lusk. W. A. Wyse. Giles Stevens. 

PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 
N. W. Salladc. George Selden. Thomas Gilluly. 

DENTIST, 

E. W. Gilmore. 

HOTELS. 

Mansion House, 0. E. Briggs, Proprietor. American House. 

GENERAL BUSINESS. 
Barstow, Wm., Blacksmith, Vine street. 
Barnard, Daly, Blacksmith. 

Barker & Schroeder, Furniture Factory, Main street. 
Rishop, P., Boot and Shoe Store, Main street. 
Beeson, J, M., Jeweler, Main street. 
Bell, W. E. Clerk with Kelsey. 
Bellinger, G., Superintendent Grist and SaAV Mill. 
Beusenheusen, Henry, Wagon Manufacturer and Blacksmith, Main st. 
Boohm, A., Photographer and Taxidermist, Main street. 
Carver, W- N., Confectioner, Main street. 
Chipman, G. W,, Painter. 

Chase c't Mittlcsteadt, Plow Manufacturers and Blacksmiths. 
Dearholt, S. J , General Merchandise, Main street. 
Darrenougue, August, Jeweler and Barber, Main street. 
Emser, Peter, Blacksmith. 



182 Ame7'ican Sketch Book. 

Finch, M., Harness Manufacturer, Main street. 

Flint, John R., Druggist, Main street. 

GcfFert, Henry, General Merchandise, Main street. 

Hansen, Gale &. Co., Dealers in Hardware, Farming Tools and Hops, 
Main street. 

Hunt k Chase, General Merchandise, Main street. 

Hosier, J. H., Book-keeper with Kellogg & Harris. 

Hudson, S. J., Clerk with Dcarholt. 

Hagenahs & Geftert, Hardware Dealers, Main street. 

Hunt & Nay, Meat Market, Main street. 

Hackett, Mrs. M. J., Dressmaker and Milliner, Main street. 

Horken, Wm., Grocer, Main street. 

KELLOGG & HARRIS, Main street, wholesale and retail dealers 
in General Merchandise and all kinds of Produce, inclu.ling Hops. 

Kellogg, J., Express Agent. 

Kelsey, J. V., General Merchandise, Main street. 

Kelsey, Mrs. J. V., Millinery store. Main street. 

Kreutzman & Geifert, Furniture Manufacturers, Main street. 

Leonard, A. F., Grocer, Main street. 

Leonard, Mrs. A. F., Millinery store, Main street. 

Langley, W. E. F., Bakery and Confectionery, Main street. 

Layman & Hunt, Millinery and Fancy Goods, Main street. 

Lake, James, Contractor and Builder, 

MACKEY, S. & CO., Merchant Flouring Mill, 

McDonald, Enos, & Co., Grocer and Liquor Dealer, Vine street. 

Markee, A. E., Clerk with Kellogg & Harris 

Perry & Lincoln, General Merchandise, Main street. 

Pixley, W.A., Jeweler, Main street. 

Parker, J. M., Contractor and Builder. 

Pettyes, John, Drayman. 

RAMSEY, DR. SAM., Druggist, General Broker, and dealer in 
Hops, Main street. 

Rertzman, Fred., Tailor, Main street. 

Russell, D. D., Boot and Shoe Maker, Main street. 

Stafford, J. V. & Co., Stave Factory, West Side. 

Seeley, Austin, Gunsmith, and Agent for Remington Sewing Ma- 
chines, Main street. 

Seoley, M. E,, dealer in Pictures, Stereoscopes, etc., also Agent for 
Brown's Patent Weather Strips, Main street. 

Sallade, Dr. N. W., Druggist, Main street. 

Stolte & Co., General Merchandise, Clothing, etc., Main street. 

Sanders, A. M., Carriage Factory, Market street. 

Tierney, Patrick, Wagon Maker, Main street. 

Timlin, Stephen, Grocer, Main street- 
Winchester, William, Painter. 

YOUNG & MACKEY, Hop Dealers, at Hunt k Chase's. 



>l< 



V\\ix^\k ^ocl for Dciilh. 



A rumor tlir.m^h the villngc sprcml, 

Ami tattle lield luvhile, its peace; 
For in the presence of the dead, 

'Tis fit our daily -work should cease; 
And though, while living, it is meet 

To never pardon sinners — yet, 
'Tis Avell, that -with the winding sheet, 

We try our hatreds to forget. 

And she was dead ; a branded name, 

From earthly rolls, had been erased. 
What matters now the bitter shame. 

Which, with her life, was interlaced 't 
The taunt, the jil)c, the scoi-uful sneer. 

O'er what she left undone, or did 't 
These tools with which men torture here, 

Arc laid down with the colhn lid! 

A sweeter floAver there never bloomed 

Within the tropic's ihjwery zone ; 
When years ago, sweet hope ilhnued. 

And on her childish pathwity slione. 
Who could have dreame<l, Avho saw her then,- 

Like Leila,"' "form of life and light" — 
That such a star of beauty, Avhen 

It set, should have so Avihl a niglit':' 

And she is dead; forgetfulness. 

From those who once were loving fi-iends, 



* " Hers was a form of life and liylit, 
Tluit e'en l)ec:<nie a part of ciRht, 
And rose, where'er I liirned my eye, 
Tlie morning titar of memory-. "—Eyron. 



134 A-nierican Shetch Booh. 

She heeds not, recks not, wretchedness 

No longer o'er her head, extends 
Its grasping all embracing arms ; 

For Avith our breath, our troubles cease, 
And gentle death, from hates and harms. 

Brings to the sufferer, sweet release. 

Y"es, she is dead, thank God for rest ! 

Thank God that lies are hushed at last ; 
And that her sins, not proved but guessed. 

Before a higher Court have passed. 
Thank God for death, which loosed the clutch, 

Upon her throat, of virtuous hate ; 
The power which frees the grip of such, 

Is often benefactor great. 

Thank God for death ; the cruel foe 

For weary souls to fear and dread. 
Is not what brings release from woe, 

And stops the aches of heart and head ; 
Not cruel tyrant come to crush 

Too soon the hopes of happy life. 
But angel with sweet voice to hush 

The agonies of mortal strife. 

Thank God for death ! etefnal rest I 

The rescue of the heart from pain ! 
The quietude of slumber blest, 

Never to be disturbed again. 
The brightest rays of light illume 

Ofttimes Avhat seems our darkest path ; 
Death's shadow brings not always gloom, 

But more than light a radiance hath. 

TIIEOPIIILUS TllllU.SlI. 




IVIap of the Chicago 6l Northwestern Railroad. 

This is the Short Line and Direct Route 



IFIE^OliA 



CSldSG^O 



TO 



OMAHA AND SAX FKAXCISt () 
MILWAIKHK AM) FOND DI" I, \C 
SllKHOV(iAN AND MANITOWOC 
ST. PAIL AND MINNEAPOLIS 
MADl-;ONAND WINONA 
(iUEEN n\Y AND ESOANABA 
MARQr;:TTK AND L'ANSE 
SIOUX ('VV\ AND BKY ND 
YANKTON. DAKOTA 
ELROV AND SPARTA 
KKEEI'OKT AND GALENA 
DUBl(irE AND WATERLOO 



MARVIN HTJGHITT 

Geiienil SiipLMUitcmliia 



W. H. STENNETT, • 

(ioii'l Passeng-er Ag't 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



^LJisTai ttJ 



016 096 117 ft § 



DEALER IN 



5^01'ei^q; ]^QW Yoi'k ^t^te cii\el Wi^doii^ii) 




Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wisconsin. 

Twenty-two years residence at this hop center of Wisconsin, has 
given an experience that 

ASSX7HSS SATZSFACTZOXT 

TO ALL SENDING THEIR ORDERS. 

ORDERS SOLECITED 

FROM 



®®l©f*» ^Bp©^w©ps« 



SPECIAL CARE TAKEN 

TO SELECT 

CHOICEST QUALITY OF HOPS, 

See pages 122 and 127 of this Sketch Book, 



r~'nneprvatinn RpcniirrPK 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



016 096 117 A4§ 



